JA 2012 cover - The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America

Transcription

VOL. LXXVII, No.7-8
JULY/AUG 2012
•
• •• •
THE HERALD
JACKSON, MI
VICE-CHAIRMAN:
Right Rev. Bishop Irineu Duvlea
ENGLISH EDITOR / SECRETARY:
Archdeacon David Oancea
ROMANIAN EDITOR:
V. Rev. Fr. Anton Frunza¨
CHAIRMAN:
Most Rev. Archbishop
Nathaniel Popp
STAFF:
Rev. Igumen Calinic Berger Ph.D.
V. Rev. Dr. Remus Grama
Hdcn. Sebastian Dumitrascu
Mr. Mark Chestnut
Mr. Richard C. Grabowski
CONTENTS
English Section
Episcopate Council Meeting ........................................ 2, 15
Convocation – 80th Annual Episcopate Congress ............. 3
St. Nicholas Camp 2012 Review ........................................ 4
Holy Synod Appoints Archbishop Nathaniel
Locum Tenens .................................................................. 5
Save the Date – Family Life + All Auxiliaries
Conference .......................................................................5
Money and the Proper Use of Wealth,
George W. Grube ................................................. 6-7, 13
In Memory: Judith Roman Scavnicky ................................8
Dormition Monastery New Church Consecration ............ 8
World Church News ....................................................... 9-11
Hierarchal Schedule .................................................... 12-13
Financial Report ......................................................... 14, 15
Solia Calendar 2013 Advertising Contract .................... 16
Romanian Section
Convocarea celui de-al 80-lea Congres al
Episcopiei ...................................................................... 17
öPS Arhiepiscop Nathaniel numit locòiitor al
scaunului de Mitropolit Primat al OCA .................... 18
Schimbarea la Faòa¨ .............................................. 18, 21-22
Vieòile Sfinòilor, Arhimandrit Roman Braga ............ 19, 24
Sfa[ntul Mare Prooroc Ilie Tesviteanul ..................... 20, 23
Lasa¨-ma¨ ôn pace, Pr. Romey Rosco ............................... 23
De vorba¨ cu olarul, Dumitru Ichim ................................ 23
Programul Sfinòirii noii biserici a Ma[na¨stirii
Adormirea Maicii Domnului ....................................... 24
COVER>
The Most Holy Mother of God, The Unfading
Bloom – In this icon, the Most Holy Birthgiver of God holds
her divine Son on her left arm, and in her right hand is a
bouquet of lilies. This bouquet symbolically signifies the
unfading flower of virginity and spotlessness of the All-Pure
Virgin, whom the Church hymns: “You are the Root of virginity and the Unfading Blossom of purity.” Available from St.
Tikhon’s Bookstore (888)454-6678 or stspress.com.
2
SOLIA — THE HERALD (ISSN 0038-1039)
is published bi-monthly for $15.00 per year:
United States, $20.00 per year: Canada, and
$25.00 per year in other countries by The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, 2535
Grey Tower Road, Jackson, MI 49201-9120.
Periodicals postage paid at Jackson, Michigan,
and additional offices. Phone: (517) 522-3656,
Fax: (517) 522-5907. E-mail: [email protected].
Internet: http://www.roea.org.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
SOLIA — THE HERALD, P.O. Box 185,
Grass Lake, MI 49240-0185, U.S.A.
Articles and news published in SOLIA
do not necessarily reflect the views or
the endorsement of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America.
EPISCOPATE
COUNCIL MEETING
July 21, 2012
The Episcopate Council met at Vatra Romaneasca,
Grass Lake, Michigan, on Saturday, July 21, 2012.
The number of elected members constituted the quorum. His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel presided;
His Grace, Irineu was also present.
Archbishop Nathaniel brought to the attention of
the Council the resignation of Metropolitan Jonah as
reported on the Orthodox Church in America’s website;
and, the fact that as senior hierarch in the Holy Synod,
he (Archbishop Nathaniel) was appointed Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan See (see article elsewhere in
this issue of Solia).
Among the actions taken by the Council were: registering the Referendum positive vote for the Saints
Peter and Paul Mission in Quebec City (Loretteville),
QC to purchase a building; registering the Referendum positive vote for addressing the Holy Synod concerning the interference of Rev. Vasile Susan in the
affairs of the Episcopate; Referendum positive vote
for St. Dimitrie the New Mission, Frederick, CO, to
obtain a mortgage.
The finalization of the sale of the ROEA property
in Niles, OH was reported. This was the site of the
former St. John Chrysostom Parish and the temporary
location of the Buna Vestire Mission. The property
had been deeded to the Episcopate.
A request from the Nativity of Our Lord Parish in
Chicago for relief from fulfilling its financial obligation to the Episcopate was read and discussed. Council affirmed that every parish is responsible to fulfill
its obligation to the Episcopate.
The chair brought to the Council’s attention certain
small parishes in Canada in relationship to their status
as parishes in the Episcopate. No action was taken.
Cont. on page 15
PRAY AND WORK FOR ORTHODOX UNITY IN NORTH AMERICA
SOLIA JULY/AUGUST 2012
THE 80TH ANNUAL
EPISCOPATE CONGRESS OF THE
ROMANIAN ORTHODOX EPISCOPATE OF
AMERICA
CONVOCATION
In conformity with Article III, Section 7, of the
By-Laws of The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of
America, we hereby call into session
THE 80TH ANNUAL
EPISCOPATE CONGRESS
Friday, September 28 through
Saturday, September 29, 2012
at
ST GEORGE
ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
18405 W 9 MILE RD, SOUTHFIELD MI 48075 – (248) 569-4833
The Congress will be in session starting
Friday, September 28 at 9:00 am
Eastern Daylight Savings Time
The Agenda, as will be presented in the Annual
Report to the Episcopate Congress 2012, will include:
Reading/Approval of the 79th Annual Episcopate
Congress Minutes; Official Reports to the Congress;
Reports from the Episcopate Auxiliaries; New
Business as submitted by the Episcopate Council
As per Article III, Section 1, The Episcopate Congress shall be composed of:
• The Bishop
• The Auxiliary Bishop(s)
• The Vicar
• The Parish Priest and Assistant Priest(s)
• Two Lay Delegates elected by each Parish Assembly for Congress 2012
• Two delegates from each Auxiliary organization of
the Episcopate
• Priests under the jurisdiction of the Episcopate not
having parishes, deacons, abbots, abbesses, if accredited by the Episcopate Council
• Members of the Episcopate Council in office, including Auxiliary Presidents ex-officio.
Should the duly-elected lay delegates be unable to
attend, their alternates will represent the parish. No
addition, substitution or ad hoc delegation will be
recognized by the credentials committee.
+ NATHANIEL
Archbishop of Detroit and The Romanian Orthodox
Episcopate of America
Thursday, September 27 – St. George Cathedral
9:00 am Clergy Conference
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm Clergy Conference Reconvenes
5:00 pm Great Vespers
6:00 pm Supper
7:00 pm Episcopate Council Meeting
(at Westin Hotel)
8:00 pm Delegate Registration
(at Westin Hotel)
Friday, September 28 – St. George Cathedral
8:00 am Delegate Registration
9:00 am Invocation to the Holy Spirit
80th Episcopate Congress Convenes
1:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm Congress Reconvenes — Session II
5:00 pm Vespers
6:30 pm Supper & Program
Saturday, September 29 – St. George Cathedral
9:00 am Procession of the Hierarchs & Clergy
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy
12:00 noon Congress Banquet & Program
Host Parish:
St. George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral
18405 W 9 Mile Road, Southfield MI 48075-4033
(248) 569-4833
Hotel:
WESTIN Southfield-Detroit
1500 Town Center, Southfield MI 48075
Reservations: (888) 627-8558
www.westinsouthfielddetroit.com
Mention “Romanian Orthodox Episcopate” or
“St. George Cathedral” for special rate.
$79.00/night + 13% tax
DEADLINE for group reservations:
September 17, 2012
Delegates must arrange their own transportation.
ADDRESS CHANGE
Send your change of address to:
SOLIA, PO BOX 185
GRASS LAKE MI 49240
or [email protected].
3
ST NICHOLAS CAMP 2012 REVIEW
St. Nicholas Camp 2012 Students and Staff with Fr. Cosmin Vint
the dormitories, and to fix up the buildings. It would
This year, the Romanian Orthodox Deanery of
also benefit greatly from the use of a bus or at least a
Canada (RODOC) at Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan,
15-passenger van, as coordinating three or four vehosted 24 children from the ages of 7 to 15. We had
hicles with drivers, making multiple trips to pick up
three counselors, a full-time cook, an arts teacher, a
kids, is not a good use of energy and time.
music teacher, a driver, and three priests who came
If a parish sends children to the camp, it would be
and volunteered their time to help the camp run
edifying to see an adult or two from the parish, to
smoothly. During the week, we had visits from some
come and supervise and help with various tasks. It
interested parents who also helped with various jobs.
would also be very helpful if at least one priest came
The theme of the week was: “We Praise You,”
to the camp for the entire week to help with the
which refers to the last major section of the Divine
teaching, and to be a presence at the camp.
Liturgy. Children learned about the meaning of what
All-in-all, we did our best at the St. Nicholas Camp
we pray every time we participate in the Liturgy. In
this year. The children ranged from helpful and very
the music class, they practiced the hymns and rewell-behaved, to mischievous and badly-behaved.
sponses that correspond with what they learned.
Personnel-wise, the camp requires more adult superIn Arts class, children learned about clay and had a
vision, a full-time priest to run services and help with
chance to create pottery candleholders, which were
teaching, and at least one responsible counselor for
then fired and glazed in time for them to take home.
every six children. This would help greatly and will
One day, while it rained outside, some of the children
be necessary in order for the camp to continue running
dipped candles to go along with their candleholders.
smoothly.
The other project was to create miniature tipis out of
Many thanks to our counselors; to Father Cosmin
MDF, bamboo skewers, and canvas, which were then
Vint, Father Cosmin Sicoe, and Father Dan Nenson
painted according to children’s interests. These projects
for their generous gift of time and teaching; to Kathie
all turned out very well, and the children enjoyed
Crawford, our faithful cook, who prepared each delimaking them.
cious meal and snacks to take on the road; to Mandy
The schedule was very full! The children went
Odling for her time and talents in the arts and crafts
geocaching, canoeing, swimming (which was a reprogram; to Con Melit, who gave his week to help us
prieve on the very hot days), and mini-golfing. They
with driving children around to various events; and a
played a lot of soccer in the cool part of the evening.
special thanks to Preoteasa Mihaela Vint for her dediThe “Amazing Race”, a camp-wide, multi-event comcation, hours and hours of hard work, and for her
petition, was a big hit with the kids. The mini-Olympresence at the camp.
pics games were also a lot of fun for everyone.
Rodney Peters
The camp facilities are still adequate, but funding
St. George Cathedral, Regina, Saskatchewan
is necessary to purchase new furniture, mattresses for
4
HOLY SYNOD APPOINTS
ARCHBISHOP NATHANIEL LOCUM TENENS,
BISHOP MICHAEL TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATOR
SYOSSET, NY [OCA] On Monday, July 9, 2012,
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah and the members
of the Holy Synod of Bishops met via conference call
to further discuss His Beatitude’s resignation, as reported earlier on the web site of the Orthodox Church
in America.
The hierarchs issued the following statement at the
conclusion of their meeting.
“To the Venerable Clergy, Devout Monastics, and
Pious Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America:
“Beloved in Christ, Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory
Forever!
“On Friday, July 6, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, tendered his resignation as Primate of
the Orthodox Church in America. The Holy Synod of
Bishops, chaired by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah,
met via conference call on Saturday, July 7, 2012.
During that meeting, the Holy Synod accepted Metropolitan Jonah’s resignation and deliberated on courses
of action.
“On Monday, July 9, 2012, the Holy Synod of
Bishops, including Metropolitan Jonah, met again via
a conference call to continue those deliberations.
Metropolitan Jonah will retain the title ‘His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah, former Archbishop of
Washington and Metropolitan of All-America and
Canada.’
“The Holy Synod has appointed the senior hierarch
of the Holy Synod, His Eminence, the Most Reverend
Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian
Episcopate, as the Locum Tenens of the Orthodox
Church in America. His Eminence, Archbishop
Nathaniel will be commemorated in the Liturgy as
‘His Eminence the Most Reverend Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, Locum
Tenens of the Orthodox Church in America.’
“The Holy Synod has appointed His Grace, the
Right Reverend Michael, Bishop of New York and the
Diocese of New York and New Jersey, as the Administrator of the Orthodox Church in America.
“The Holy Synod has appointed His Grace, the
Right Reverend Alexander, Bishop of Toledo and the
Bulgarian Archdiocese, as the Locum Tenens of the
Archdiocese of Washington. His Grace will be commemorated in the Liturgy as ‘His Grace, the Right
Reverend Alexander, Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Archdiocese, Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Washington.’
“The Holy Synod of Bishops is currently discussing arrangements with Metropolitan Jonah and, with
all due pastoral consideration, will take into account
his requests as outlined in his letter of resignation.
The Holy Synod of Bishops will also meet in due time
to discuss future plans for the leadership of the Church.
“The Holy Synod thanks Metropolitan Jonah for
his considerate decision and requests that the Clergy
and Faithful keep Metropolitan Jonah and the Orthodox Church in America in their prayers.
“Assuring you of Our Archpastoral Blessing, We
are,
“The Holy Synod of Bishops of the
Orthodox Church in America.”
- SAVE THE DATE Family Life + All-Auxiliaries Conference
“With Faith & Love, Draw Near”
June 27-30, 2013
VATRA ROMANEASCA,
Grass Lake, Michigan USA
With hierarchical blessings & endorsement of
the Episcopate Council,
our Episcopate faithful are invited to
The Inaugural Family Life Conference
with the
Joint Annual Conferences of
ARFORA: Assn. of Romanian Orthodox
Ladies’ Auxiliaries
AROY: American Romanian Orthodox Youth
BH: Orthodox Brotherhood
Faith - Family - Social - Culture
Youth > Singles > College
Young married Couples
Families with Children > Widowed > Seniors
child care will be available
Deans - Priests - Councils
Church Schools - Choirs
Workshops on Parish Life, Opportunities for
Spiritual Enrichment, Social Events
*Full Liturgical Cycle*
Plan your vacation to spend a few days
recharging & enriching spiritually and socially
within the greater Episcopate family.
June 27-30, 2013 - VATRA ROMANEASCA
5
What the Church Fathers Say About …
MONEY AND THE PROPER USE OF WEALTH
Prayer Before Study:
Where are the affections of the world? Where are
the vain dreams of delight? Where is gold or silver?
Where is the multitude of servants and attendants? All
is dust and ashes, or a shadow that passes away.
Brethren, let us then pray to Christ our Immortal King
and say: “O Lord, grant your blessings to your departed servant, and give rest to his soul in your everlasting happiness of heaven.”
— St. John of Damascus
Scriptural References:
⇒ Matthew 6:33; 19:21; 20:15
⇒ Acts 2:44
⇒ Luke 12:16-21; 16:19-31
⇒ Mark 4:19; 10:24-25
The New Testament does not condemn riches or
private possessions, but there are warnings regarding
false priorities. Jesus said “Seek first the Kingdom of
God,” and He was critical of those who put their trust
in material wealth, as in the Parable of the Rich Farmer
(Lk 12:16-21): “Fool, tonight you will die, and your
riches, whose will they be?” The Beatitudes speak of
the blessedness of the poor and the hungry: “Riches
choke the growing seed of the Word” (Mark 4:19).
We all remember the statement of the Lord that it is
“easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven”
(Mark 10:24-25). Yet Jesus often associates with the
wealthy and does not condemn them.
The Church Fathers were suspicious of wealth,
because they thought that riches could only be obtained by evil or questionable means. Christ believed
too, that to be rich meant to ignore the poor. Our Lord
taught the rich young man that to be perfect “he must
sell everything he owns and follow Him” (Matt. 19:21).
Therefore, one will find the Fathers in almost total
agreement that riches, in and of themselves, are not
evil but the misuse of wealth will bring damnation and
earthly unhappiness. The Didache says it well: “Do
not turn away the poor and needy, but share everything you own with your brothers and do not say that
what you have belongs only to you.”
The following statements reflect this belief and
show that the early Church was very suspicious of
wealth, because it forecast greed and selfishness.
+
Do not be one who holds his hand out to take,
but shuts it when it comes to giving. If your labor has
brought you earnings, pay a ransom for your sins. Do
not hesitate to give and do not give with a bad grace;
for you will discover who He is that pays you back a
reward with a good grace. Do not turn your back on
the needy, but share everything with your brother and
6
call nothing your own. For if you have what is eternal
in common, how much more should you have what is
transient!
-The Didache
+
The earth was made in common for all . . .
Why do you arrogate to yourselves, you rich, exclusive right to the soil? Nature, which begets all poor,
does not know the rich. For we are neither born with
raiment nor are we begotten with gold and silver.
Naked it brings people into the light, wanting food,
clothing, and drink; naked the earth receives whom it
has brought forth; it knows not how to include the
boundaries of an estate in a tomb . . . Nature, therefore, knows not how to discriminate when we are
born; it knows not how when we die ….
— St. Ambrose
+
Therefore the offering of the Church, which
the Lord directed to be offered in the whole world, is
accounted a pure sacrifice with God, and is acceptable
to Him, not that He needs a sacrifice from us, but
because he who offers is himself honored in his offering if his gift be accepted. By his offering, both honor
and affection is shown to the King. And our Lord
taught us to offer this in all simplicity and innocence
(Matt. 5:23, 24). Therefore, we must offer to God the
first fruits of His creation, as Moses said, Offerings
are no longer offered by bondsmen, but by freemen….
They [O.T. saints] offered their tithes; but those who
have received liberty set apart everything they have
for the Lord’s use, cheerfully and freely giving them
(2 Cor. 9:7), not as small things in the hope of greater,
but like that poor widow, who put her whole livelihood into the treasury of God (Luke 21:4).
— Irenaeus of Lyons
+
As a further motivation to give, remember
that Jesus gave his all to save us. For each of us he
gave his life. Because he gave up his life for us, he
demands we give our lives for each other. If we owe
our very lives to our brothers, shall we hoard our
wealth and keep it away from them? Shall we keep
things away from each other only to have those things
burn at the end of the world? No, no! If we do not love
our brothers, we are children of the devil and heading
for the flames ourselves. But the true Christian loves
his brothers! Love seeks not her own, but is diffused
on the brother. About the brother love is fluttered,
about him she is soberly insane! And, as Paul tells us,
love is the only thing that lasts.
— Clement of Alexandria
+
“Whom do I injure,” the rich person says,
“when I retain and conserve my own?” Which things,
tell me, are yours? Whence have you brought them
into being? You are like one occupying a place in a
theatre, who should prohibit others from entering,
treating that as one’s own which was designed for the
common use of all. Such are the rich. Because they
were first to occupy common goods, they take these
goods as their own. If each one would take that which
is sufficient for one’s needs, leaving what is in excess
to those in distress, no one would be rich, no one poor.
Did you not come naked from the womb? Will you not
return naked into the earth? (Job 1:21). Whence then
did you have your present possessions? If you say,
“By chance,” you are godless, because you do not
acknowledge the Creator, nor give thanks to the Giver.
If you admit they are from God, tell us why you have
received them. Is God unjust to distribute the necessaries of life to us unequally? Why are you rich, why
is that one poor? Is it not that you may receive the
reward of beneficence and faithful distribution . . . ?
— St. Basil the Great
+
The poor man seeks money and has it not; a
man asks for bread, and your horse champs gold under
his teeth. And precious ornaments delight you, although others do not have grain . . . The people are
starving, and you close your barns; the people weep
bitterly, and you toy with jeweled ring . . . The jewel
in your ring could preserve the lives of the whole
people. . . .
— St. Ambrose
+
He who holds possessions as the gifts of God.
. .and knows that what he possesses is for the sake of
others is blessed by God and poor in spirit.
+
The Rich-Young-Ruler
The key to understanding how rich people can be
saved is in the story of the rich young ruler. It may
seem that this story means that no rich person can be
saved. Not necessarily. Let us look at the story once
again, but this time let us put aside childish misconceptions. A young man came to Jesus and asked,
“What must I do to live forever?”’
“You know commandments,” Jesus replied. “Keep
them.”
“I have,” the man replied.
“Just one more thing,” said Jesus. “If you want to
be perfect, sell everything you have, give the money
to the poor, and then come, follow me.” Hearing this,
the young man went away grieved because he was
very rich.
Because Jesus taught with divine and mystic wisdom, it takes diligence and intelligence to find the
hidden meaning in his words. In telling the young man
to sell his possessions, the Savior is not bidding him
to abandon his property, but to banish from his soul
the wrong ideas he has about wealth — his love of it
and his worry about it. Obviously, Jesus was not saying to have no property is to have eternal life. If that
were true, then the beggars in the streets, who do not
even claim to know God, would be the best Christians.
Another reason we know that Jesus did not mean
his words literally is that even before Christ came
some pagans gave up their wealth, and they certainly
were not saved. No, Jesus here is not talking about
some simple outward action. Instead, he is speaking
of something greater, more God-like, and more perfect: the stripping off of the passions from the soul,
and the cutting up by the roots and the casting out of
what is alien to the mind. Yes, the pagans could give
away their possessions, but they could not free themselves from their passions. I believe that those who
did give away all that they had actually intensified the
pride they felt in themselves and the contempt they
felt for the rest of mankind.
+
Those who wish to make room for the Lord
must find pleasure not in private, but in common
property . . . Redouble your charity. For, on account
of the things which each one of us possesses singly,
wars exist, hatreds, discords, strife among human
beings, tumults, dissensions, scandals, sins, injustices,
and murders. On what account? On account of those
things which each of us possesses singly. Do we fight
over the things we possess in common? We inhale this
air in common with others; we all see the sun in
common. Blessed therefore are those who make room
for the Lord, so as not to take pleasure in private
property. Let us therefore abstain from the possessions of private property — or from the love of it, if
we cannot abstain from possession — and let us make
room for the Lord.
—St. Augustine
+
Everyone who comes to you “in the name of
the Lord” must be welcomed. Afterward, when you
have tested him, you will find out about him, for you
have insight into right and wrong. If it is a traveler
who arrives, help him all you can. But he must not
stay with you more than two days, or, if necessary,
three. If he wants to settle with you and is an artisan,
he must work for his living. If, however, he has no
trade, use your judgment in taking steps for him to
live with you as a Christian without being idle. If he
refuses to do this, he is trading on Christ. You must be
on your guard against such people.
— The Didache
From a homily on Romans:
+
If you wish to leave much wealth to your
children, leave them in God’s care. For he who, without your having done anything, gave you a soul, and
formed you a body, and granted you the gift of life,
when he sees you displaying such munificence, and
distributing your goods, must surely open to them all
kinds of riches . . . do not leave them riches, but virtue
and skill. For if they have the confidence of riches,
they will not mind anything besides, for they shall
have the means of screening the wickedness of their
ways in their abundant riches.
Cont. on page 13
7
IN MEMORY
Judith
Roman
Scavnicky, died peacefully on August 8, 2012
at her home in Troy,
Michigan. Judith was
born in Youngstown,
Ohio to Elie Roman and
Ljubica Ruza “Ruby”
Sirovica. Judith, a registered nurse, graduated
with honors from
Woodrow Wilson High
School. She completed
Judith Roman Scavnicky her nursing degree at
the University of
Pittsburgh’s Liliane S. Kaufman School of Nursing.
Judith married Dr. Gary Scavnicky in 1964 and was
blessed with three lovely daughters: Tatiana, Ileana
and Elizabeth.
Judith and her husband left Youngstown in 1964 to
live and work in Champaign, Illinois and Madison,
Wisconsin before moving to Detroit in 1969. In addition to being an outstanding wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother and nurse, she was director of the
Clintonaire Nursing Center for the mentally disabled
in Mt. Clemens, Michign. She was a devoted Orthodox Christian and served in a variety of roles such as:
president of the Youngstown Chapter of the American
Romanian Orthodox Youth (AROY); singing in the
St. George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral choir; teaching Sunday School and serving in a variety of church
functions.
Judith was a lover of the arts. As an adolescent, she
was cast as the magician’s assistant in a popular magic
show. Later, Judith danced in a Romanian Youth Dance
Group. She passed her passion for the arts, culture and
travel on to her children. Her family shared Judith’s
love of music through dance and singing. She carried
the melody when the family caroled, performed, or
sang Christmas carols in seven different languages.
She enjoyed watching foreign films, attending operas
and theatrical productions.
Judith had many creative talents including: creating unique Orthodox icons; antiquing furniture and
developing interior design. She became a connoisseur
of international fine art and began collecting various
original pieces near the end of her life. She was well
known for her cooking and baking, making delicious
dishes and desserts, such as sarmale, placinta, clatite
and many others. A seamstress, she crafted dresses
and costumes for her young children, and a variety of
home décor essentials such as Austrian curtains, pillow covers and blankets. Judith crocheted for many
years and made large beautiful afghans for her family
and friends to enjoy.
8
Judith’s thirst for learning was never quenched.
She studied a variety of subjects such as: Psychology,
World Religions, Medical Record Management, Fine
Arts and others at Oakland Community College where
she received an Associate Arts degree in 1986 and a
partial scholarship to Wayne State University. She
read a healthy diet of fiction and non-fiction books.
She enjoyed traveling and visited Florida (often),
Acapulco, Africa, the Canary Islands, England, France,
Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland. Ironically,
Judith supported her friends and church members afflicted with cancer by rubbing their feet and backs and
by visiting them often, years before she developed
cancer herself. Judith devoted her life to her family
who believe that she exemplified the characteristics
of the virtuous woman as described in Proverbs 31.
Judith is survived by her beloved husband of 48
years, Dr. Gary Scavnicky; loving daughters, Tatiana
Ljubica (Mark Watson) Scavnicky, Ileana Lara Kristina
(Donald) Reich, and Elizabeth Arcangela (Neil) Yaekle;
grandchildren, Angel, Donnie, Drew, Luke Roman
and Mirabella Elizabeth Yaekle; great granddaughter,
Lilyiana Hernandez. She is also survived by her father, Elie Roman and sister, Beta (Tim) Burnich. Judith
is preceded in death by her mother, Ljubica Ruza
“Ruby” Roman.
Visitation and wake service took place at St. George
Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, Southfield, Michigan
on August 9, followed by the Funeral Service on
August 10. Interment in Oakland Hills Cemetery, Novi,
Michigan. Memory eternal!
DORMITION MONASTERY
Rives Junction, Michigan
NEW CHURCH CONSECRATION
SCHEDULE
Friday October 5, 2012
Vigil at 6:00 PM.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Procession with the Holy Relics at 8:15 am, followed by the consecration of the new church at
8:30 am. The Hierarchal Divine Liturgy will be
held in the outdoor pavilion starting at 10:00 am
and refreshments will be served between 12:30
pm and 1:30 pm. A formal dinner will begin at
2:00 pm (by reservation only). The day will end
with the Vigil service starting at 6:00 pm.
More information: 517-569-2873,
email: dormition [email protected],
website: dormitionmonastery.org.
WORLD CHURCH NEWS
Ethiopian Patriarch Abune Paulos reposes in the
Lord
YONKERS, NY [SVOTS Communications, Aug.
16, 2012] His Holiness, Abune Paulos, Patriarch and
Catholicos of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
and Archbishop of Axum and Ichege of the See of
Saint Teklehaimanot, fell asleep in the Lord in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, early on the morning of August 16,
2012, according to a BBC report. According to sources,
His Holiness had been undergoing treatment for a serious illness for a long time, and that he reposed in
Dejazmach Balcha Hospital. The 76-year old Patriarch
was an alumnus of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary,
Crestwood, NY, where he studied from 1962 to 1965.
He completed his Master of Divinity degree in May
1966. Dr. Sergius Verhovskoy, at that time professor
of Dogmatic Theology, perceived great potential in the
student (and then priest) Gabre Madhin G. Yohannes,
who would eventually become the Patriarch of Ethiopia. In seminary archival correspondence, Professor
Verhovskoy noted that “Father Gabre was highly intelligent, very capable, and eager to study.” After his
graduation from Saint Vladimir’s, the course of young
“Abba” (Father) Gabre’s life was determined by dramatic Church and political affairs in Ethiopia, which
included his imprisonment and exile. Although his life
had begun modestly in the village of Adwa in Tigray
Province, its unfolding placed him in the center of
many controversies that required from him enormous
determination and spiritual strength in their resolution.
As a young boy, Gabre Madhin had entered the Abba
Garima Monastery, a place near his hometown with
which his family had had a long association. He began
his life there as a deacon-trainee, eventually taking
monastic vows and being ordained to the Holy Priesthood. He continued his education at the Theological
College of the Holy Trinity in Addis Ababa, under the
patronage of Patriarch Abune Tewophilos, who then
sent him on to Saint Vladimir’s Seminary for further
study. After graduation from Saint Vladimir’s, Abba
Gabre entered a doctoral program at Princeton University, but in 1974, his studies were interrupted by extraordinary circumstances in Ethiopia—the revolution
that toppled Emperor Haile Selassie. Patriarch Abune
Tewophilos summoned him back to Ethiopia, and along
with four others, anointed him as a bishop. Abba Gabre
took the name “Paulos” at his episcopal elevation, and
was given the responsibility of ecumenical affairs by
the Patriarch. However, because the Patriarch had
anointed the five bishops without the permission of the
newly empowered Derg communist junta, all five men
were arrested, and the Patriarch was eventually executed. Abune Paulos and his fellow bishops were
imprisoned until 1983. After serving his sentence, Abune
Paulos returned to Princeton in 1984 to complete his
doctoral degree, and began his life in exile. He was
elevated to the rank of Archbishop by Patriarch Abune
Takla Haymanot in 1986, while in exile. Subsequently,
after the fall of the Derg in 1991 (replaced by the
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia) and the dethronement of Patriarch Abune Merkorios, the Holy
Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
authorized a new Patriarchal election. Abune Paulos
was elected in 1992, and amidst ecclesial and political
controversies that gripped the country, his election and
enthronement were recognized by the Coptic Patriarchate in Alexandria. As Patriarch, Abune Paulos took
great pride in the history of the Ethiopian Church,
noting the continuous 3,000 year-old Jewish and Christian presence in his country and its astounding size
with 45 million faithful and 50,000 church buildings.
During his term of office, many urban Church properties that had been confiscated were returned to the
Church, notably the campus and library of his alma
mater, Holy Trinity Theological College. His Holiness
also led restoration efforts for Holy Trinity Cathedral.
As well, he rebuilt the patriarchal complex and reformed the central administration of the Patriarchate.
Further, he regained treasured Church artifacts, including those that had been plundered by British troops in
the 19th century, including 10 “tabots” containing images
of the Ark of the Convenant, which had been held up
to that time in a British Museum. During his tenure,
His Holiness became widely recognized as a scholar,
peacemaker, and advocate for the suffering and poor.
He championed the cause of victims of the Derg regime and presided over their funerals, including that of
Haile Selassie in 2000. With great reluctance, he acquiesced to the breaking away of the Eritrean Orthodox
Church when that country declared independence, and
he never ceased to try to bring peace between Ethiopia
and Eritrea and to heal the devastation wrought by their
border wars. He initiated peace meetings between religious leaders of the two countries in 1998, 1999, and
2000. Patriarch Abune Paulos continually sought to
strengthen ecclesial relations among Oriental Orthodox Churches. In 2007, he visited the Coptic Orthodox
Church of Egypt, meeting with His Holiness Pope
Shenouda III and reestablishing a relationship with
that Church body. In 2008, he traveled to India to meet
with Baselios Thoma Didymos I, Catholicos of the
East. As one of the seven presidents of the World
Council of Churches, representing the Oriental Orthodox Churches, he was instrumental in encouraging interfaith dialogue in Ethiopia. In that same capacity, he
participated in many international meetings, including
the World Economic Forum and the World Summit of
Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations
in New York. Most notably, he became extensively
involved in the support of war-displaced and droughthit Ethiopians, making the Ethiopian Orthodox
Cont. on page 10
9
World Church News
Cont. from page 9
Tewahedo Church one of the major relief organizations in the country. He showed keen interest in providing solutions to problems involving youth, women’s
issues, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the protection and welfare of refugees, he was awarded the Nansen
Medal for Africa by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2000. In the summer of 2008,
Alexander Machaskee, Executive Chair of the Board
of Trustees at Saint Vladimir’s, witnessed first-hand
Patriarch Abune Paulos’s care for the Ethiopian
Tewahedo Church and his country. Mr. Machaskee,
who at that time chaired the Board of Trustees for
International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC], met
with His Holiness for two hours, discussing such IOCC
projects as the multimillion-dollar AIDS campaign, the
children’s clinic in the city of Waliso, and several
agricultural projects and demonstration farms. May his
memory be eternal!
State’s first Orthodox Christian school opens in
Wichita
The Wichita Eagle: by Suzanne Perez Tobias (Aug.
21, 2012) - The first Orthodox Christian school in
Kansas opened Monday in northeast Wichita. Christ
the Savior Academy, a private school at St. George
Orthodox Christian Cathedral, is beginning its first
year with 18 students from pre-kindergarten through
second grade. “It’s just a dream come true,” said Jennifer Sebits, president of the school’s board of trustees.
“The kids are so excited.” Sebits said the school is a
project of the entire Orthodox community in Wichita,
which includes St. George, St. Michael the Archangel
Orthodox Christian Church and St. Mary Orthodox
Christian Church. Preparation began more than 16 years
ago, when St. George broke ground on an educational
wing just west of its cathedral at 13th and Rock Road.
Three years ago, a steering committee formed to develop a strategic plan to open a school. Enrollment is
open to all faiths. The school offers a classical curriculum, which features studies in Latin, Greek, art and
violin beginning in first grade, as well as math, science
and reading. Classical schooling also means students
often study from original sources rather than textbooks,
Sebits said. The school plans to add one grade each
year for the next three years until it includes pre-K
through fifth grade, Sebits said. It takes about five
years for a school to receive state accreditation, and
“We’ve done all the planning and everything we can
with accreditation in mind,” she said. On Monday after
arriving for their first day, students helped plant a
redbud tree outside the school to mark the start of
Christ the Savior Academy. “We hope and pray that
the school and its students will thrive like that little
tree,” Sebits said. Tuition at Christ the Savior is $2,500
a year. For more information, visit www.christthe
savioracademy.org. [A similar school (Hagia Sophia
10
Classical Academy) has been opened in Indianapolis,
Indiana (go to www.hagiasophiaclassical.com).]
St. Vladimir’s Seminary to host college retreat October 5-7
YONKERS, NY [OCA] / August 21, 2012 - College
students from across the US are invited to enjoy a
weekend of fellowship, prayer and interaction with
their peers and some of today’s top Orthodox theologians and teachers at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary here
October 5-7, 2012. The weekend retreat coincides with
the seminary’s annual Orthodox Education Day, the
theme of which is “Inklings of Glory: Godward Journeys with Lewis and Tolkien.” Among the special activities planned is a presentation, “Tips for Building
Your Orthodox Christian Fellowship,” by Andrew Boyd,
Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry
for the Orthodox Church in America, and a lecture and
discussion on Lewis and Tolkien by Priest Andrew
Cuneo, Professor of English at Saint Katherine’s College, San Diego, CA. Students are also invited to enjoy
an excursion to New York City during the three-day
gathering. The cost for the retreat is minimal—only
$5.00 which includes Friday dinner, Saturday brunch,
and Saturday dinner. Education Day food booth tickets
will be available for purchase on Saturday afternoon.
Transportation and meals during the excursion to New
York City are extra. For registration and accommodation information, please contact Protodeacon Joseph
Matusiak at [email protected] or 914.318.7505.
Chicago area pan-Orthodox program aimed at reducing substance use and abuse
CICERO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] / August 18, 2012 - The Orthodox Christian Coalition for
Healthy Youth [OCCHY], a national alliance offering
communities an opportunity to heighten awareness of
how to combat substance abuse, prevent bullying, encourage sexual abstinence outside of marriage, and
encourage respect for the sanctity of the human body,
recently established headquarters in Cicero, IL. Founded
by the Department of Youth Ministries of the Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, in
conjunction with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of
America, OCCHY was awarded a five-year Drug Free
Community matching grant of $125,000.00 per year,
according to Archpriest Nicholas Dahdal, OCCHY Director. “Your respective bishops have all been informed
of OCCHY’s new beginning, and we are thankful for
their acknowledgement and blessings to go forth and to
address this challenge together in the greater Chicago
Orthodox Christian community,” Father Nicholas wrote
in a letter dated August 10, 2012 addressed to all
Chicago-area parishes. OCCHY’s Project Coordinator
is Ms. Gordona Trbuhovich, who brings years of organizational experience to the coalition’s efforts. Visit
OCCHY’s web site at http://www.healthyyouth.com/.
For additional information please contact Ms.
Trbuhovich at [email protected].
2012 Annual Meeting of the Assembly of Bishops
Convenes in September
The 2012 Annual Meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America
will be convened Monday through Wednesday, September 10 through 12 at the O’Hare Airport Hilton
Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. This is the third Annual
Meeting of the Assembly which consists of the sixtysix active hierarchs serving the Church in this geographic region: eleven residing in Canada, five in Mexico
and fifty in the USA. The first annual meeting was
convened in New York City in 2010 and the second in
Chicago in 2011. Provided below is the schedule for
the Meeting, a proposed agenda for the several business sessions and a Timeline synopsis of the Assembly’s
activities from its inception up to the present. The
prayers of all clergy, monastics and laity are requested
by and for the bishops. By way of background, delegates from the fourteen Autocephalous Orthodox
Churches participated in a historic Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference, which met at the Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy-Geneva,
Switzerland on June 6-12, 2009. The Conference was
a direct result of the Synaxis of the Heads of all the
Orthodox Churches, convened by His All Holiness
Bartholomew I at the Ecumenical Patriarchate October
10-12, 2008. At that time, the Heads of the Churches
expressed their “desire for the swift healing of every
canonical anomaly that has arisen from historical circumstances and pastoral requirements, such as in the
so-called Orthodox Diaspora, with a view to overcoming every possible influence that is foreign to Orthodox
ecclesiology.” Acting as formal representatives of the
Autocephalous Churches, the members of the Fourth
Pre-Conciliar Conference in Chambésy in 2009 affirmed “that is the common will of all of the most holy
Orthodox Churches that the problem of the Orthodox
Diaspora be resolved as quickly as possible, and that it
be organized in accordance with Orthodox ecclesiology,
and the canonical tradition and practice of the Orthodox Church.” The Conference decided to establish an
“Episcopal Assembly” (aka “Assembly of Bishops”) in
specific geographic regions which are beyond the boundaries of the Autocephalous Churches. The Conference
identified twelve such regions throughout the world, of
which that of North and Central America is one. For
more information on the establishment of these twelve
Assemblies of Bishops and, in particular, the work of
our own Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of
North and Central America, please refer to the new
Timeline of the Assembly (http://www.assemblyof
bishops.org/about/assembly-timeline). The agenda for
the upcoming Assembly is also available (http://
www.assemblyofbishops.org/files/docs/
2012ABScheduleAgendaSeptember2012d.pdf).
OH, will be the site of the 17th All-American Council
of the Orthodox Church in America, a one-day gathering on Tuesday, November 13, 2012—the Feast of
Saint John Chrysostom—at which a new Primate of the
Orthodox Church in America will be elected. “The
Holy Synod of Bishops met in Detroit on August 13,
2012 and decided that they needed to hold the special
Council as soon as possible so the work of the Church
could move forward,” said Archpriest Eric G. Tosi,
OCA Secretary. “It will be called the 17th All-American Council because it meets the statutory requirements as a special Council and due to the precedence
of the 12th All American Sobor in 1965.” [Prior to
1970, such Councils were referred to as “Sobors.” Visit
http://oca.org/history-archives/aacs/the-12th-allamerican-sobor for additional information.] “The bishops expressed their desire to hold a low key and penitential gathering, keeping costs as low as possible for
parishes, dioceses, and the OCA inasmuch as it constitutes an unbudgeted expense,” Father Eric added. “Many
sites were looked at, and it was decided to hold the
special Council at Parma’s Holy Trinity Church because it is one of the few churches large enough to
accommodate a large number of delegates and is centrally located, within reasonable driving distance for
many parishes. Hotel space in the area is also quite
reasonable.” The Council will open with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, followed by brunch. An
electoral plenary session will follow, after which the
newly elected Primate will be installed prior to the
closing session. “Several hotels near the church will be
used,” Father Eric said. “Information will be provided
shortly with a special code for reserving rooms. We are
looking into providing transportation from the hotels
to the church and back.” The registration process will
be the same as that observed in the past, requiring
clergy and lay delegates per Statute Article 3, Sections
2 and 6. The formal agenda, logistical information,
instructions and registration forms will be provided
on-line by September 15 in order to comply with the 60
day Statute requirements. Members of the Preconciliar
Commission, nominated by the Metropolitan Council
and approved by the Holy Synod, include His Grace,
Bishop Michael of New York and the Diocese of New
York and New Jersey, chair; Archpriest John Jillions,
Chancellor; Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary and
Council Supervisor; Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky;
Archpriest Myron D. Manzuk, Council Manager; Ms.
Melanie Ringa, Treasurer; and Mr. Peter Ilchuk, Logistics Manager. Clergy and lay chairs will be announced
well in advance, as will chairs of the local committee
and its members. Space for observers will be limited.
Additional information will be released in the coming
weeks as final plans become available.
17th All-American Council to be held in Ohio in
November
SYOSSET, NY [OCA] - Holy Trinity Church, Parma,
11
HIERARCHAL SCHEDULE
HIS EMINENCE, ARCHBISHOP NATHANIEL
May 28 – July 29, 2012
June 1-3. Canton, OH. St. George. ARFORA /
Brotherhood USA Annual Conferences. Friday:
ARFORA Board meeting. Saturday: ARFORA &
Brotherhood Annual Conference meetings. Great Vespers. Memorial Service. Sunday: Hierarchal Divine
Liturgy.
June 7-10. Frederick, CO. St. Dimitrie the New
Mission. 5th Anniversary and Pastoral Visit. Saturday: Meetings with Ladies Auxiliary and Parish Council. Great Vespers. Sunday: Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Banquet.
June 11-12. Lake George, CO. Protection of the
Holy Virgin Monastery. Visit.
June 17. Rives Junction, MI. Dormition Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
June 22. Detroit, MI. St. Raphael of Brooklyn
Parish. Urban Mission Program.
June 24. Rives Junction, MI. Dormition Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
July 1. Rives Junction, MI. Dormition Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
July 8. Rives Junction, MI. Dormition Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
July 13-15. Rives Junction, MI. Dormition Monastery. Center for Orthodox Christian Studies Retreat.
Saturday: Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Sunday: Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
July 17. Detroit, MI. Orthodox Catholic Dialogue.
July 21. Grass Lake, MI. ROEA Chancery. Episcopate Council Meeting.
July 27-29. Hazleton, PA. St. Joseph of Maramures.
Saturday: Meeting with Archbishop Tikhon. Evening:
Great Vespers. 20th Anniversary Banquet. Sunday: Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Lunch.
HIS GRACE, BISHOP IRINEU
January 1 – July 29, 2012
January 1. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
January 2. Grass Lake, MI. St. Mary Cemetery.
Burial Service for Liviu Florescu.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for Theophany. Great Blessing of Waters.
January 7- 8. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery.
January 22. Troy, MI. St. Nicholas. Hierarchal
Divine Liturgy.
January 24-26. Antiochian Village, PA. Meeting
with the Committee for Youth of the Assembly of
12
Bishops.
January 29. Southfield, MI. St. George Cathedral. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy concelebrated with
Archbishop Nathaniel. Memorial Service for Archbishop
Valerian.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for feast of Three Hierarchs.
February 1. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery.
Vespers.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for feast of Presentation of
Our Lord.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Afternoon: Assisted at Vespers.
Afternoon: Assisted at Vespers.
Afternoon: Assisted at Vespers.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Afternoon: Assisted at Vespers.
February 26. Utica, MI. St. Theodora of Sihla
Mission. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
March 4. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
March 10. Grass Lake, MI. Bishop’s Residence.
ARFORA Board meeting.
March 11. Southfield, MI. St. George Cathedral.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Memorial Service for Virgil
Barbu.
March 18. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery.
March 25. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy & Blessing of the bells.
April 1. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
April 8. Dearborn Heights, MI. Sts. Peter & Paul.
April 12. Portland, OR. St. Mary. Holy Thursday:
Twelve Gospels service.
April 13. Oregon City, OR. Descent of the Holy
Spirit. Holy Friday: Lamentations service.
April 15. New Westminster, BC. Holy Trinity.
Midnight: Resurrection Service & Paschal Hierarchal
Divine Liturgy. Afternoon: Agape Vespers.
April 16. Seattle, WA. Three Hierarchs. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Afternoon: Parish Council meeting.
April 20. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for feast of Life-giving Fount
of the Mother of God.
April 23. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for feast of Great Martyr George
the Trophy-bearer.
May 4-5. Toledo, OH. St. George Bulgarian Cathedral. Friday: Vespers and Profession of Faith of
Archimandrite Alexander. Saturday: Hierarchal Divine Liturgy and Consecration of Bishop Alexander as
Ruling Hierarch of the Bulgarian Diocese of the OCA
celebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah and
members of the Holy Synod of Bishops. Banquet.
May 6. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
May 7. Rives Junction, MI. Dormition Monastery. Holy Synod of Bishops Spring Meeting.
May 8. Grass Lake, MI. Bishop’s Residence. Received the Members of the Holy Synod.
May 10. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Received the Members of the Holy Synod.
May 12. Southfield, MI. St. George Cathedral.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Memorial Service for hierarchs, clergy & faithful during Founders’ Weekend
(100th Anniversary). Banquet.
May 19-20. Alpine, NJ. St. John of Wallachia
Mission. Patronal Feast. Saturday evening: Vespers
and Banquet. Sunday morning: Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
May 24. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery.
Patronal Feast. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy concelebrated
with Bishop Visarion of Tulcea-Romania, Bishop
Timotei of Spain & Portugal and Bishop Nicodim of
Edinet and Briceni-Moldova.
May 26. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy concelebrated with Archbishop
Nathaniel, Bishop Visarion of Tulcea (Romania), Bishop
Timotei of Spain & Portugal, Bishop Nicodim of Edinet
and Briceni (Moldova) and Bishop Matthias of Chicago and the Midwest (OCA) on the occasion of the
Celebration of the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
& Blessing of the Foundation for the New Chapel.
June 1-2. Canton, OH. St. George. ARFORA Congress. Friday evening: ARFORA Board Meeting. Saturday: ARFORA Congress. Evening: Assisted at Vespers & Memorial Service.
June 3. Alliance, OH. St. Nicholas: Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
June 4. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for feast of Holy Trinity.
June 8. Portland, OR. St. Mary. Wedding Service
for Petru & Ioana Vulpe.
June 10. Seattle, WA. Three Hierarchs. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy and meeting with Parish Council
members.
June 17. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
June 24. Dearborn Heights, MI. Sts. Peter & Paul.
Patronal Feast. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
June 29. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Sts. Peter &
Paul.
July 1. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
July 4. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Te deum for United States Independence Day.
July 7. Southfield, MI. St. George Cathedral. Assisted at Marriage Service of Michael Gomez & Ana
Lazar.
July 20. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy for feast of Holy Prophet Elias.
July 21. Grass Lake, MI. Chancery Office. Episcopate Council.
July 22. Richmond Hill. St. Elijah Mission. Patronal
Feast. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Banquet.
July 28. Clinton, MI. Ascension Monastery. Received the students attending Camp Vatra for Juniors.
Money …
Cont. from page 6
From a sermon on the poor:
+
“Anyone who would not work should not eat”
(2 Thessalonians 3:10) . . . But the laws of Saint Paul
are not merely for the poor; they are for the rich as
well. We accuse the poor of laziness. This laziness is
often excusable. We ourselves are often guilty of worse
idleness.
— St. John Chrysostom
+
A possession ought not to belong to the possessor, not the possessor to the possession. Whosoever, therefore, does not use his patrimony as a possession, who does not know how to give and distribute
to the poor, he is the servant of his wealth, not its
master; because like a servant, he watches over the
wealth of another and not like a master does he use it
of his own. Hence, in a disposition of this kind we say
that the man belongs to his riches, not the riches to the
man.
- St. Ambrose
+
The love of possessions is a sort of a trap,
which entangles the soul and prevents it flying to
God.
— Augustine of Hippo
Excerpted from What the Church Fathers Say About
… Volume I, by George W. Grube, Light & Life
Publishing, Minneapolis, MN, 1996. To order, call
888-925-3918 or visit light-n-life.com.
13
FINANCIAL REPORT
EPISCOPATE SUPPORTERS
M/M John Pop Jr, Northbrook, IL ...................... $100.00
Veta Buzas, Allen Park, MI ..................................... $30.00
Aldena Jinar, Ellwood City, PA ............................. $25.00
GENERAL DONATIONS
Annunciation, Montreal, QC
(Hierarch Travel Expenses) ............................. $1,939.00
St Andrew, Laval, QC
(Hierarch Travel Expenses) ............................. $1,000.00
St John of Wallachia, New York, NY
(Hierarch Travel Expenses) ................................ $516.20
St Dimitrie the New, Frederick, CO
St Elias, Montreal, QC
St Panteleimon, Saint Eustache / Terrebonne, QC
M/M Constantine Prisecaru, Wyoming, MI ...... $200.00
St Nicholas, Alliance, OH
Doru Posteuca, St Paul, MN (Pascha Donation) . $100.00
Ascension, Montreal, QC ....................................... $100.00
Florence Westerfield, Warren, MI ......................... $30.00
Helen & Nick Burz, Royal Oak, MI ...................... $25.00
Maria & Corneliu Danciu, Chicago, IL
(Orthodox Unity in America) .............................. $20.00
Iustina Cantor, Commerce Twp, MI ...................... $10.00
MEMORIAM
Eugenia Baran, Lincoln Park, MI .......................... $50.00
(IMO Brother Aurel & Nephew Nick Buzas)
Marcel & Elena Radu, Woodside, NY .................. $50.00
(IMO Dumitru Radu)
Florence Churilla, Roseville, MI ............................ $25.00
(IMO son)
EPISCOPATE ASSESSMENT
Holy Nativity, Chicago, IL ............................... $17,800.00
St John, Toronto, ON .......................................... $6,900.00
St Mary, Colleyville, TX .................................... $5,520.00
Sts Constantine & Helen, Lilburn, GA ............ $3,020.00
Descent of the Holy Spirit, Oregon City, OR .. $1,380.00
Protection Mission, Pierrefonds, QC ................. $1,140.00
St John, Shell Valley, MB ..................................... $750.00
St Polycarp Mission, Naples, FL .......................... $600.00
St Mary Mission, Las Vegas, NV ......................... $400.00
Protection Mission, Ft Qu’Appelle, SK ............... $280.00
Holy Trinity, Inglis, MB ........................................ $210.00
ROMANIAN NATIONAL CATHEDRAL DONATIONS
St Nicholas Ladies Auxiliary, Regina, SK ...... $2,000.00
St Mary Cathedral, Cleveland, OH .................. $1,936.00
St George, Toronto, ON ...................................... $1,465.00
Sts Peter & Paul, Dearborn Hts, MI ................. $1,208.00
St Andrew, McKees Rocks, PA ......................... $1,055.00
St John, Glendale, AZ ......................................... $1,000.00
Three Hierarchs, Bellevue, WA ........................... $430.00
Holy Trinity, Youngstown, OH ............................. $320.00
Holy Cross, Hermitage, PA ................................... $300.00
St John, Kitchener, ON .......................................... $300.00
14
Ascension, Montreal, QC ....................................... $284.28
St Anne, Pomona, CA ............................................. $205.00
Constantina Dita, Erie, CO ................................... $200.00
John Santeiu & Family, Garden City, MI .......... $200.00
Holy Cross, Phoenix, AZ ....................................... $151.00
Gheorghe Albu, Dearborn Hts, MI ....................... $100.00
Biatrice Ambrosa, Redmond, VA ........................ $100.00
Rozalia Buta, North Olmsted, OH ........................ $100.00
Dr Teodora Buzatu, Westlake, MI ....................... $100.00
Lavinia M Cozmin, Westlake, OH ....................... $100.00
Ion & Raluca Dumitru, Redmond, WA .............. $100.00
Maria Fedorean, Edmonds, WA ........................... $100.00
Liviu & Aurica Grama, Lakewood, OH ............. $100.00
V Rev Fr & Psa Remus Grama,
Cleveland, OH ..................................................... $100.00
Eremie Klein, Willoughby, OH ............................. $100.00
Victor & Elena Muntean, Parma Heights, OH .. $100.00
Marian & Elena Munteanu, Redmond, WA ...... $100.00
Emanoil Olt, Bellevue, WA ................................... $100.00
Mihaela Popescu, Westlake, OH .......................... $100.00
George & Dorina Popa, Strongsville, OH .......... $100.00
Simona Sarsama, North Olmsted, OH ................. $100.00
Ionel Satnoianu, Lakewood, OH .......................... $100.00
Maria Tent, Cleveland, OH ................................... $100.00
Doinita Tiru, Shoreline, WA ................................. $100.00
Florin & Izabella Trofin,
Lake Forest Park, WA ........................................ $100.00
C Mirela Catuneanu, Fairfax, VA ......................... $50.00
Alex & Florica Cotrau, North Royalton, OH ....... $50.00
Ovidiu & Georgeta Grama, Berea, OH ................ $50.00
Floarea Petre, Berea, OH ........................................ $50.00
Georgeta & Ionel Popa, Longmont, CO ............... $50.00
Silvia Schumann, Centennial, CO .......................... $50.00
Simona & Razvan Sirghie, Erie, CO ..................... $50.00
Rev Fr & Psa Ioan Bogdan, Frederick, CO ......... $30.00
CAMP VATRA FOR JUNIORS DONATIONS
St George Cathedral AROY, Southfield, MI ..... $400.00
John M Toana, Indianapolis, IN ............................. $50.00
CAMP VATRA CLOSING BANQUET DONATIONS
Gary & Anna Devine ............................................. $200.00
Adina & Tony Lohan ............................................ $150.00
M/M Joseph Bucciarelli ........................................ $100.00
Corina Ghertan ...................................................... $100.00
Emily Lipovan & Neal McNea ............................ $100.00
M/M Radu Stingu .................................................. $100.00
M/M Florin Tomas ................................................. $100.00
Petru & Nadia Vraja ............................................. $100.00
Radu Cosma .............................................................. $60.00
M/M John Onica ...................................................... $60.00
Dragos Beldie ............................................................ $50.00
Dorin Dumitrascu & Family .................................. $50.00
Richard Grabowski .................................................. $50.00
Dan Heisler ................................................................ $50.00
Kathy Kalugar .......................................................... $50.00
Jonel & Marcela Susa ............................................. $50.00
Schester Family ........................................................ $50.00
Tina & Daniel Ursu ................................................. $50.00
David & Stephanie Zablo ....................................... $50.00
Ioan R Irimie ............................................................ $30.00
Gabriela Mirica ........................................................ $30.00
Cristina & Radu Munteanu ................................... $30.00
Cont. on page 15
Episcopate Council … Cont. from page 2
It was noted that parishes and clergy should be
reminded to not sponsor clergy to come to North
America without prior Chancery knowledge and approval.
It was reported that the former priest, Adrian Fetea,
had been deposed from the Holy Priesthood based on
his breaking of the Holy Canons of the Church.
A letter from Fr. Romulus Bleahu having issue
with the OCA pension plan was read. Father Bleahu is
protesting that he will not receive full pension. It
seems that he did not fulfill the time required to be
fully vested.
A request from Rev. Fr. Bogdan Nichitean to be
accepted into the ranks of the clergy was read and
discussed. The Council accepted the petition pending
ratification by an Episcopate Congress.
His Grace, Irineu, excused himself at this time.
Mr. Mark Chestnut, Financial Administrator, presented the Finance Report for 2011 and for the first
six months of 2012. He reported that as of this date,
$13,000 has been received for the appeal for the building
of the Cathedral of the Nation’s Salvation in Bucharest,
Romania.
Mr. Thomas Rosco, Chairman of the Parish Finance Research Committee, reported that he is still
preparing information for his committee.
Rev. Archdeacon David Oancea, Chancellor and
Head of the Department of Publications, reported on
his department.
Very Rev. Dr. Ian Pac-Urar, Chairman of the Department of Religious Education reported on the
progress of the search for a Youth Director for the
Episcopate. He also spoke about Camp Vatra. He
noted that the annual Clergy Confertreat will be held
on February 11-14, 2013, in Scottsdale, AZ. A letter
from Rev. Hieromonk Egumen Calinic presenting his
report on why the Senior Camp was cancelled was
distributed.
Mr. Ronald Muresan reported on the progress of
the 2013 “Family Life/All Auxiliaries Conference,”
entitled: “With Faith and Love, Draw Near.” This is
planned for June 27-30, 2013. The Council heard the
report and passed the motion: “In our July 21, 2012
meeting, the Episcopate Council receives the preliminary report that the ARFORA, AROY and Orthodox
Brotherhoods are organizing a Family Life Conference at Vatra the last week of June, 2012, to encompass their auxiliary conferences. We fully endorse this
initiative, praying that it will radiate energy and Light
into every corner of the Episcopate, our parishes and
families.”
Very Rev. Dr. Catalin Mitescu, Chair of the Department of Missions, reported that the Department
subsidized the missions in Baton Rouge, LA,
Brooksville, FL, Clearwater, FL, Naples, FL and Phoenix, AZ for a total of $26,000. He visited missions,
presided over General Assemblies and assisted the
clergy and faithful when requested. Father Catalin
commented on the problems involved with bringing
clergy into North America from abroad.
His Eminence, Nathaniel, commented on statements
made by the Congress of the Romanian Patriarchal
Archdiocese at its July meeting and also presented
information from the ROEA Due Diligence Committees. A memorandum from Attorney and Chair,
Michael Khoury on the work of the Legal Due Diligence Committee was distributed as well as a separate
confidential report on behalf of the committee reviewing the financial issues. The memorandum began with
the statement: “Because of certain statements that have
been made regarding the process, we are providing
some history as well as the conclusions set forth…”.
A statement from Legal Advisor John J. Regule
concerning a letter of Archbishop Nicolae (Condrea)
to Archbishop Nathaniel (July 1, 2012) noting certain
“inaccuracies” therein was also distributed as was a
statement by Attorney James Carabina. No further
discussion was held.
His Eminence described in general terms the move
of the Holy Ascension Monastery from Detroit to
Clinton, Michigan in lieu of His Grace, Irineu, Acting
Abbot.
His Eminence reported on the forthcoming meeting
of the Assembly of Bishops to be held in Chicago on
September 10-12, 2012.
Council Secretary Fr. Laurence Lazar distributed a
flyer confirming that the 80th Congress will be held at
the Saint George Cathedral, Southfield, MI, September 27-29, 2012. Petitions for seating were reviewed
by Council and approved for: Archdeacon Chancellor
David Oancea, Very Reverend Father Nicolae Stoleru,
and Rev. Frs. Mircea Banu & Alin Munteanu.
During the lunch break, Council members were led
by Chancellor Oancea and Financial Administrator
Chestnut around the Vatra grounds to inspect areas in
need of special maintenance: the Bessarabian Shrine,
the Cemetery Chivot, the Episcopal Residence and
other areas. [Two weeks later, the Bessarabian Shrine
was taken down because of dilapidation. Crews working at the Camp also removed over-grown bushes and
trees around the Vatra campus]. It was noted that the
Residence eves and fascia need replacing. A major
face-lift is in store.
Finance Report
Cont. from page 14
Helen Zablo ............................................................... $25.00
Ioan Babut & Family .............................................. $20.00
Ioan & Maria Fratila .............................................. $20.00
Pearl Jonascu ............................................................ $20.00
Larentiu Grigorescu ................................................ $20.00
Paula Muresan .......................................................... $20.00
Anonymous ................................................................ $10.00
Fr Bill Clark ............................................................. $10.00
John McLaughlin ..................................................... $10.00
15
SOLIA CALENDAR
2013
CALENDARUL SOLIA
The Annual Almanac published by The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America in December 2012
for all parishes and parishioners throughout the United States and Canada.
ADVERTISING
CONTRACT
RATES & AD SIZES (Actual print size)
All prices are in United States Dollars — Payment must be in U.S. Funds
❏ $125.00 Full Page [ 7”l x 4-1/8”w ]
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❏ $ 75.00 One-
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•
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submitted along with this
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•
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submitted in PDF or Microsoft
Word format via email to:
calendar @ roea.org
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❏ $ 50.00 One-
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•
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either tiff or jpeg format
•
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digital camera must be 5.0
megapixels or higher (350
dpi), and submitted in digital
format (CD or email)
•
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scanned at a resolution of 600
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•
Both black & white and color
photographs are accepted,
however, all ads are printed in
black & white
•
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and with proper lighting
Name
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Address
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State/Prov
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PAYMENT:
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The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America — Department of Publications
P.O. Box 185, Grass Lake, Michigan 49240-0185 U.S.A.
Phone (517)522-4800 ext 205 ✶ Fax (517)522-5907
The R.O.E.A. reserves the right to edit, limit and/or refuse publishing materials submitted.
16
Only one (1) photo per ad
(if 2 or more photos are
included for a full page, each
photo will be charged the 1/2
page rate)
DEADLINE:
SEPT. 28, 2012
• Preoòi de sub jurisdicòia Episcopiei care nu au
parohie, diaconi, stareòi, daca¨ sunt acreditaòi de
Consiliul Episcopesc
• Membrii Consiliului Episcopesc ôn funcòiune, ca sçi
presçedinòii organizaòiilor auxiliare ex officio.
CONVOCARE
ôn conformitate cu Articolul III, Secòiunea 7,
a Regulamentelor Episcopiei Ortodoxe Roma[ne
din America, chema¨m ôn sesiune
AL 80-LEA CONGRES ANUAL
AL EPISCOPIEI
VINERI, 28 SEPTEMBRIE –
SA{MBAËTAË, 29 SEPTEMBRIE, 2012
la
CATEDRALAË ORTODOXAË ROMA{NAË
SFA{NTUL GHEORGHE
18405 W 9 MILE RD, SOUTHFIELD MI 48075
(248) 569-4833
Toòi preoòii parohi sçi asistenòi numiòi ôn Parohii de
ca¨tre Episcop, precum sçi toòi delegaòii mireni alesçi
legal de ca¨tre Aduna¨rile Generale Parohiale ôn 2011 sçi
ale ca¨ror acredita¨ri au fost verificate de ca¨tre Comitetul
de acreditare al Episcopiei, sunt chemaòi ôn sesiune de
lucru.
Congresul va fi ôn sesiune de lucru ôncepa[nd cu
ziua de
VINERI, 28 SEPTEMBRIE
orele 9>00 a.m., ora Coastei de Est.
Ordinea de zi, dupa¨ cum este publicata¨ ôn Raportul
Anual ca¨tre Congresul Episcopiei 2012, va include>
• Citirea ¶ Aprobarea Procesului Verbal al celui de-al
79th Congres al Episcopiei
• Raporturile Oficiale ca¨tre Congres
• Raporturi din partea Organizaòiilor Auxiliare ale
Episcopiei
• Propuneri noi din partea Consiliului Episcopesc.
Conform Articolului III, Secòiunea 1, Congresul
Episcopiei va fi compus din>
• Episcop
• Episcopul-Vicar
• Vicarul
• Preotul Paroh sçi Preotul sau Preoòii asistenòi
• Doi (2) delegaòi mireni alesçi de Adunarea Generala¨
a fieca¨rei Parohii pentru Congresul Episcopiei pentru
anul 2012
• Doi (2) delegaòi din partea fieca¨ r ei organizaòii
auxiliare a Episcopiei
Daca¨ delegaòii mireni alesçi legal nu pot participa la
Congresul Episcopiei, locòiitorii lor alesçi legal de ca¨tre
Adunarea Generala¨ Parohiala¨ a fieca¨rei Parohii, vor
reprezenta Parohia. Nici o adaügare, substituire or
delegaòie ad-hoc nu vor fi recunoscute de ca¨ t re
Comitetul de acreditare.
+NATHANIEL
Arhiepiscop al Detroitului sçi al Episcopiei
Ortodoxe Roma[ne din America
PROGRAMUL
JOI, 27 Septembrie – Catedrala Sf. Gheorghe
9>00 am Conferinòa clerului
1>00 pm Pra[nzul
2>00 pm Conferinòa clerului sesiunea a 2-a
5>00 pm Vecernia
6>00 pm Cina
7>00 pm Sçedinòa Consiliului Episcopesc
(Hotelul Westin)
8>00 pm önregistrarea delegaòilor
(Hotelul Westin)
VINERI, 28 Septembrie – Catedrala Sf. Gheorghe
8>00 am önregistrarea delegaòilor
9>00 am Ruga¨ciunea de invocare a Duhului Sfa[nt
Deschiderea celui de-al 80-lea Congres al
Episcopiei
1>00 pm Pra[nzul
2>00 pm Congresul continua¨- Sesiunea a II-a
5>00 pm Vecernia Mare
6>00 pm Cina
SA{MBAËTAË, 29 Septembrie – Catedrala Sf. Gheorghe
9>00 am Procesiunea Clerului sçi Sfa[nta Liturghie
Arhiereasca¨
12>00 pm Banchetul sçi Programul de ëncheiere
Parohia Gazda¨>
Catedrala¨ Ortodoxa¨ Roma[na¨ Sf. Gheorghe
18405 W 9 Mile Road, Southfield MI 48075-4033
(248) 569-4833
Pentru rezerva¨ri la hotel vedeòi secòiunea
ôn limba engleza¨, pag. 3.
RUGATçI-VAË SçI LUCRATçI PENTRU UNITATE ORTODOXAË IN AMERICA DE NORD
17
öPS ARHIEPISCOP NATHANIEL
NUMIT LOCTIç ITOR AL SCAUNULUI DE
MITROPOLIT PRIMAT AL OCA
Sfa[ntul Sinod a numit pe IPS Arhiepiscop
Nathaniel ca loctçiitor sçi pe PS Episcop Michael
ca administrator
Ca¨tre Cucernicul Cler, Cuviosçii Monahi sçi Monahii,
Evlaviosçii Credinciosçi ai Bisericii Ortodoxe ôn America>
Iubiòilor ôntru Hristos,
Laüdat fie Domnul nostru Iisus Hristos! Laüdat fie
ôn veci!
Pe data de 6 iulie 2012, Prea Fericitul Mitropolit
Primat Jonah a ônaintat Sfa[ntului Sinod scrisoarea de
retragere ca Primat al Bisericii Ortodoxe ôn America.
Sfa[ n tul Sinod al Bisericii, sub conducerea Prea
Fericitului Mitropolit Jonah, s-a ôntrunit ôn teleconferinòa¨
sa[mba¨ta¨,7 iulie 2012. ön cursul conferinòei, Sfa[ntul
Sinod a a probat cererea Mitropolitului Jonah sç i a
dezba¨tut acòiunile ce urmeaza¨ a fi luate.
Luni, 9 iulie 2012, Sfa[ n tul Sinod, incluza[ n d
Mitropolitul Jonah, s-a ôntrunit din nou, tot ôn
teleconferinòa¨ , spre a continua aceste delibera¨ r i.
Mitropolitul Jonah va avea titlul> ||önalt Prea Sfinòitul,
Mitropolit Jonah, fost Arhiepiscop de Washington sçi
Mitropolit al ôntregii Americi sçi Canadei\\.
Sfa[ntul Sinod a numit, ôn calitate de membru cu cea
mai mare senioritate al Sfa[ntului Sinod, pe önalt Prea
Sfinòitul Nathaniel, Arhiepiscop de Detroit sç i al
Episcopiei Roma[ne din America, drept locòiitor al
Mitropolitului Bisericii Ortodoxe ôn America. önalt
Prea Sfinòitul Arhiepiscop Nathaniel va fi pomenit, ôn
timpul Sfintei Liturghii, ca ||önalt Prea Sfinòia Sa
Nathaniel, Arhiepiscop de Detroit sçi al Episcopiei
Ortodoxe Roma[ne din America, locòiitor al scaunului
de Mitropolit al Bisericii Ortodoxe ôn America\\.
Sfa[ntul Sinod a numit pe Prea Sfinòitul Michael,
Episcop de New York sçi New Jersey, ca Administrator al Bisericii Ortodoxe ôn America .
Sfa[ntul Sinod a numit pe Prea Sfinòitul Alexandru,
Episcop de Toledo sçi al Episcopiei Bulgare, drept
locòiitor al scaunului de Arhiepiscop al Washingtonului. Prea Sfinòia Sa va fi pomenit la Sfa[nta Liturghie
drept> ||Prea Sfintia Sa Alexandru, Episcop de Toledo
sçi al Episcopiei Bulgare, locòiitor al scaunului de
Arhiepiscop al Washington-ului\\.
ön momentul de faòa¨, Sfa[ntul Sinod cauta¨ sa¨ rezolve
situaòia Mitropolitului Jonah, cu toata¨ consideraòia
pastorala¨ cuvenita¨, sçi va lua ôn considerare cererile
cuprinse ôn scrisoarea sa de retragere. La timpul cuvenit,
Sfa[ntul Sinod se va ôntruni spre a dezbate planurile
pentru viitoarea conducere a Bisericii.
Sfa[ntul Sinod mulòumesçte Mitropolitului Jonah pentru
decizia sa sç i cere clerului sç i credinciosç i lor sa¨
pomeneasca¨ pe Mitropolitul Jonah sçi Biserica Ortodoxa¨
din America ôn ruga¨ciunile lor.
Ra¨ma[neòi ôncredinòaòi de grija noastra¨ pastorala¨, cu
binecuva[nta¨ri arhieresçti,
Sfa[ntul Sinod al Bisericii Ortodoxe ôn America
SCHIMBAREA LA FATçA¨
6 AUGUST
Schimbarea la Fatça¨ a Ma[ntuitorului este unul din
Praznicele ômpa¨ra¨tesçti ale Bisericii Ortodoxe, sa¨rba¨torita¨
la 6 august.
Iisus Hristos ômpreuna¨ cu cei trei ucenici, Apostolii
Petru, Iacov sçi Ioan au mers pe Muntele Tabor unde,
ôn timp ce ôl priveau, Ma[ n tuitorul a ônceput sa¨
stra¨luceasca¨ foarte puternic. ön timpul acestei stra¨luciri,
au venit Ilie sçi Moise sçi au vorbit cu El. Ucenicii au
fost foarte uimiòi sçi ônspaïma[ntaòi.
Aceasta¨ ônta[mplare dezva¨luie divinitatea lui Iisus
Hristos, ônainte de Patimile Sale, astfel ônca[t ucenicii
sa¨ ônòeleaga¨, dupa¨ ôna¨lòarea Sa, ca¨ El este cu adeva¨rat
Fiul lui Dumnezeu Tata¨l sçi ca¨ Patimile Sale au fost
acceptate cu buna¨ sçtiinòa¨ (Marcu 9>2-9). De asemenea,
18
ne arata¨ posibilitatea propriei noastre ôndumnezeiri.
Aceasta¨ ônta[mplare a subiectul unei dispute ôntre
Sfa[ n tul Grigorie Palama sç i Varlaam de Calabria.
Varlaam credea ca¨ lumina stra¨lucirii lui Iisus era lumina¨ creata¨, ôn timp ce Grigorie Palama susòinea ca¨
ucenicilor le-a fost dat harul de a percepe lumina
necreata¨ a lui Dumnezeu. Acest fapt susòine argumentul
lui Grigorie, mai larg, cum ca¨ noi nu-l putem cunoasçte
pe Dumnezeu ôn esenòa Sa, dar ôl putem cunoasçte ôn
energiile Sale, pe ma¨sura¨ ce El ônsusçi se reveleaza¨.
Menòiuni ale Schimba¨rii la Faòa¨ se ga¨sesc ôn Sfa[nta
Scriptura¨> Matei 17>1-8, Marcu 9>2-9, Luca 9>28-36,
sçi II Petru 1>16-19.
Cont. la pag. 21
VIETIç LE SFINTIç LOR
Vieòile Sfinòilor sunt nisçte biografii spirituale ale
oamenilor ôndumnezeiòi. Ele nu sunt ficòiuni, nici legende,
ci cuprind viaòa ôn Hristos, a unor oameni cum suntem
noi. Biserica Ortodoxa¨ recomanda¨ lectura Vieòilor
Sfinòilor mai mult deca[t orice tratat de teologie. Cresçtinul
le citesçte, nu ca informaòie, nici ca ônva¨òa¨tura¨ dogmatica¨,
ci ca pe un ôndreptar de urmat. Le-am putea asema¨na cu
acele manuale americane de industrie casnica¨ intitulate
DO IT YOURSELF.
Vieòile Sfinòilor au avut un mare impact ôn viaòa
credinciosçilor din Biserica primara¨. Istorii despre Sfinòii
Apostoli sçi ucenicii lor circulau din tata¨ ôn fiu, transmise
prin viu grai, paralel cu Evanghelia orala¨. Viaòa Sfa[ntului
Antonie, scrisa¨ de Atanasie cel mare, a fost un adeva¨rat
manifest care a umplut pustiul Egiptului de ca¨luga¨ri.
Este ônceputul acestui gen de literatura¨, continuat apoi
de istorici ca Eusebiu, Sozomen sçi Socrate, precum sçi
de Fericitul Ieronim care, imita[nd pe Plutarh, a scris
biografiile oamenilor ilusç t ri ai Bisericii (De Viris
Illustribus).
Sfinòii ne vorbesc prin fapte, nu prin lecturi. Pentru
omul de ra[nd, oratoria faptei este cea mai convinga¨toare.
Sfinòii din calendar sunt cresçtinii obisnuiòi care, ôn Hristos
sçi ômpreuna¨ cu El, au biruit lumea. Domnul Hristos a
zis> ||ön lume necazuri veòi avea, dar ôndra¨zniòi, ca¨ci Eu
am biruit lumea\\ (Ioan, 16>33). De aceea, noi ôi numim
||Biserica¨ Triumfa¨toare, spre deosebire de noi, cei vii,
care ducem ra¨zboi cu ispitele sçi care constituim ||Biserica
Lupta¨toare.\\
ön primul ra[nd trebuie sa¨ sçtim ca¨ sfinòii nu sunt
ara¨ta¨ri venite de pe alte planete ori ficòiuni legendare<
nu sunt nici ôngeri, nici spirite cobora[te din cer. Ei sunt
fraòii nostri, oameni ca noi, asça cum spune Psalmistul>
\\concepuòi ôn fa¨ra¨delegi sçi na¨scuòi ôn pa¨cate\\ (Ps. 51>5).
Sunt membri ai Trupului Tainic al Domnului, oameni
din toate categoriile vieòii sociale> ostasçi, drega¨tori,
ca¨sa¨toriòi sau ca¨luga¨ri, doctori, profesori, foste prostituate
sau ta[lhari, care s-au cura¨òit prin pocaïnòa¨ sçi s-au
ônduhovnicit prin ruga¨ciune ... Cu acesçtia a binevoit
Dumnezeu sa¨ ôntemeieze Biserica Lui pe pa¨ma[nt. Sfinòii
nu au fost scutiòi de sla¨biciuni omenesçti, pentru ca¨ nu
este om pe pa¨ma[nt care sa¨ nu gresçeasca¨. ön lupta lor
ônsa¨, nu s-au desna¨da¨jduit, nu s-au ômpietrit< nu au
pa¨ra¨sit Biserica. Adica¨, nu au ca¨zut din Harul Duhului
Sfa[nt, ômpa¨rta¨sçit prin Sfintele Taine. Sfa[ntul Apostol
Pavel numesçte pe toòi membrii bisericilor ||sfinòi\\< Evrei,
13>24< Filipeni, 4>21< Efeseni 4>12< 2 Corinteni, 13>13<
1 Corinteni, 16>15< Romani, 16>15,31. ... Spre deosebire
de noi, fraòii lor mai mici, ei nu au traït ôn pla¨ceri, ci \\au
alergat cu sta¨ruinòa¨ ôn lupta care le sta ônainte\\ ...
||ômpotrivindu-se pa¨catului pa[na¨ la sa[nge\\ (Evrei, 12>1
sçi 4), adica¨, deprinderilor mosçtenite din pa¨rinòi, ada[nc
ônra¨da¨cinate ôn inimile lor, na¨da¨jduind ca¨ Dumnezeul
pa¨cii va dezrobi ôn cura[nd pe Satana sub picioarele lor.
(vezi Romani, 16>20).
öntrebarea este, daca¨ ôn lumea noastra¨ de asta¨zi mai
exista¨ sfinòi= Daca¨ ne-am ôndoi, ar ônsemna ca¨ nega¨m
existenòa Bisericii, despre care Hristos a spus ca¨ \\nici
poròile iadului nu o vor birui\\ (Matei, 16>18). Profetul
Ilie credea ca¨ a ra¨mas singurul ba¨rbat credincios ôn
Israel, pa[na¨ ca[nd Dumnezeu i s-a ara¨tat sçi i-a spus ca¨
mai erau sçapte mii de ba¨rbaòi care nu-sçi plecasera¨
genunchii lui Baal, dar pe care nimeni nu-i sçtia. (III
Regi, 19>18). Exista¨ poate milioane de sfinòi pe care
numai Dumnezeu ôi sçtie. Sfinòii au fost ôntotdeauna
anonimi pa[na¨ la moarte, pentru ca¨ sfa[ntul este o persoana¨
discreta¨> nu tra[mbiòeaza¨, nu bate toba, nu vorbesçte despre
el ônsusçi, nu face minuni. Este adeva¨rat ca¨ Hagiografia
populara¨ abunda¨ ôn minuni. Din nefericire, la ata[t se
ma¨rginesçte ônòelegerea cresçtinului de ra[nd> spectacolul,
senzaòia. ... Sfa[ntul trebuie sa¨ faca¨ ceva iesçit din comun,
altfel nu este sfa[nt. Dorinòa de spectacol zgomotos, de
senzaòionalism, care sa¨ satisfaca¨ curiozitatea omului,
nu este manifestarea unui cresçtinism autentic. Profetul
Ilie asçtepta pe Dumnezeu ôn pesçtera din muntele Horeb.
Sçi s-a fa¨cut cutremur de pa¨ma[nt sçi va[nt mare, dar
Dumnezeu nu era ôn nici unul din ele. Apoi a venit o
adiere linisçtita¨ de va[nt sçi acolo era Dumnezeu (vezi III
Regi, 11-12). Esenòa omului ômbuna¨ta¨òit consta¨ ôn simòirea
prezenòii lui Dumnezeu ôn inima lui. Sfa[ntul devine o
isihie ruga¨toare. Pacea interioara¨, ta¨cerea simòurilor,
acesta este semnul prezenòei lui Dumnezeu. Totul se
petrece ôntre el sçi Dumnezeu, ca ôntr-o comuniune
liturgica¨ - sacramentala¨. ön raportul cu ceilalòi oameni,
sfa[ntul se socotesçte cel mai din urma¨ pa¨ca¨tos.
ön Calendarul Bisericii sunt numai ca[teva categorii
de sfinòi care ôntruchipeaza¨ virtuòi. Restul au murit
necunoscuòi. Prin Calendarul liturgic, Biserica a voit sa¨
dea oamenilor nisçte modele de urmat. Sfinòii ne ônvita¨
sa¨ urma¨m lor, asça cum sçi ei au urmat lui Hristos, fiecare
dupa¨ talentele da¨ruite de Dumnezeu (cf. 1 Corinteni,
11>1).
Pentru a ajunge sfa[ n t, este nevoie de Harul lui
Dumnezeu. Sfinòenia nu òine numai de resortul voinòei
proprii, asça cum se ônta[mpla¨ ôn sistemele de morala¨
filosofica¨. Efortul sfa[ntului consta¨ ôn aceea ca¨ se ofera¨
ca un pa¨ma[nt virgin, pentru a fi lucrat de Dumnezeu. ön
Condacul zilei de 23 Aprilie, ne adresa¨m Sfa[ntului
Gheorghe cu aceste cuvinte> ||Lucrat fiind de Dumnezeu,
la ra[ndul taü te-ai ara¨tat lucra¨tor prea cinstit al bunei
credinòe ...\\ (Mineiul Lunii Aprilie). Este o deosebire
de esenòa¨ ôntre sfa[nt sçi omul moral. De multe ori actele
sfinòilor se plaseaza¨ dincolo de bine sçi de raü. S-a
vorbit asça de mult ôn Teologie, despre morala de dincolo
de bine sçi de raü. De pilda¨, bla[ndul sçi dreptul Moise,
va¨za¨torul de Dumnezeu, a trimis pe Leviòi sa¨ omoare
trei mii de oameni, ôntre care erau prieteni sçi vecini sçi
chiar fraòi de-ai lor (cf. Iesçire, 32>27-28). David, icoana
sçi prototipul lui Iisus Hristos, a fost violent sçi a pa¨ca¨tuit.
Profetul Ilie a ucis cu ma[na lui patru sute cincizeci de
profeòi ai lui Baal (III Regi, 18>22 sçi 40). Sfa[ntul Nicolae
a tras o palma¨ lui Arie ôn plin sinod ... etc. Cum putem
noi interpreta anumite acte ale sfinòilor= Din punctul de
vedere al judeca¨òilor omenesçti, Sfa[ntul Nicolae a fost
Cont. la pag. 24
19
SFôNTUL MARE PROOROC ILIE TESVITEANUL
20 IULIE
La data de 20 iulie, Biserica Ortodoxa¨ Roma[na¨
sa¨rba¨toresçte ridicarea la cer a Sfa[ntului Mare Proroc
Ilie Tesviteanul. Unul dintre cei mai importanòi prooroci
din Vechiul Testament, Sf. Ilie este celebrat ca un
mare fa¨ca¨tor de minuni sçi aduca¨tor de ploi ôn vreme
de seceta¨. Sfa[ntul si marele Proroc Ilie, ônger ôntrupat
ôn carne ce a primit de la Dumnezeu puterea de a
deschide sçi ônchide cerurile, era de origine din Tesvi
(Tesba) ôn Galaad. Numele Ilie ôn limba roma[na¨ provine
de la numele ebraic Eliyah (Eliiah), ceea ce ônseamna¨
||Al ca¨rui Dumnezeu este YAHVE\\.Tradiòia apocrifa¨,
care a transmis aceste detalii despre nasçterea Prorocului,
precizeaza¨ ca¨ el era din tribul lui Aaron sçi deci era
preot. Se spune ca¨ la nasçterea sa tata¨l saü a va¨zut
oameni ômbra¨caòi ôn alb ônvelindu-l ôn scutece de foc
sçi, da[ndu-i numele, i-au dat sa¨ ma¨na[nce o flaca¨ra,
simbol al ra[vnei pentru Dumnezeu care l-a mistuit dea lungul ôntregii sale vieòi. önca¨ din copila¨rie, òinea
strict toate poruncile Legii sçi se òinea ôn permanenòa¨ ôn
faòa lui Dumnezeu printr-o feciorie indiferenta¨, post
neôncetat sçi ruga¨ciune arza¨toare, care ôi fa¨cura¨ sufletul
ca focul sçi fa¨cura¨ din el modelul vieòii ma¨na¨stiresçti. A
traït ôn secolul al X-lea ônainte de Hristos sçi activitatea
sa este menòionata¨ ôn cap.17-20 din a Treia Carte a
20
Regilor din Vechiul Testament. ön Noul Testament,
Ma[ntuitorul Hristos face referire la el spuna[nd despre
Ioan Boteza¨torul ca¨ este Ilie care trebuia sa¨ vina¨ (Matei
capitolul 11 versetul 14). Despre Ilie ôn Noul Testament ga¨sim scris sçi ôn Matei 17>3, Marcu 9>4 sçi Luca
9>30. A activat ôn Regatul de Nord, ôn timpul regelui
Ahab. Acesta s-a ca¨sa¨torit cu o principesa¨ pa¨ga[na¨,
Isabela, care l-a ademenit sçi pe el sa¨ cada¨ ôn idolatrie<
lipsa de piosçenie sçi depravarea predecesorilor saï
ajunsese la culme. öncurajat de soòia sa, respinga¨toarea
Izabel, el ôi persecuta pe Prooroci sçi pe toòi oamenii
ra¨masçi credinciosçi lui Dumnezeu sçi se ônchina idolilor
Baal sçi Astarte. Sfa[ntul sçi Marele Prooroc Ilie l-a
abordat ôn chip direct purta[nd o apriga¨ lupta¨ pentru
dreapta credinòa¨ a poporului care prin exemplu mai
marilor saï era ta[ra[t ôn idolatrie. La cuvintele Profetului,
o secete groaznica¨ s-a aba¨tut atunci, ca febra, asupra
pa¨ma[ntului> totul a fost secat, devastat, ars < ba¨rbaòii,
femeile, copiii, animalele domestice sç i animalele
sa¨lbatice, toate mureau din lipsa hranei, izvoarele secau,
plantele se ofileau sçi nimic nu sca¨pa urgiei ônga¨duite
de Dumnezeu, cu speranòa ca¨ foametea va face pe
poporul lui Israel sa¨ se caïasca¨ sçi sa¨ se ôntoarca¨ la
credinòa¨.
Din porunca lui Dumnezeu, Proorocul, acoperit cu
o piele de oaie sçi ônvesçma[ntat cu piele de viòel, a
pa¨ra¨sit òinutul lui Israel sçi s-a dus la pa[ra[ul Chorrath
(Kerrith), aflat dincolo de Iordan (dupa¨ tradiòia
bisericeasca¨, ôn acest loc a fost ridicata apoi ma¨na¨stirea
Hozeva, care mai exista sçi asta¨zi, sçi unde a traït sçi
Sfa[ntul Ioan Iacob Hozevitul). Se ada¨pa cu apa din
izvor, iar Domnul ôi trimitea corbi - animale pe care
evreii le considerau impure sçi care aveau reputaòia
unei mari cruzimi faòa¨ de progeniturile lor - pentru ai aduce pa[ine dimineaòa sçi carne seara, ca sa¨ trezeasca¨
ôn prooroc mila pentru poporul care suferea. Ca[nd
pôrôul a secat, Dumnezeu l-a trimis ôn Sarepta din
Sidon, la¨sa[ndu-l sa¨ vada¨ de-a lungul drumului efectele
dezastruoase ale secetei, pentru a trezi ônca¨ o data¨ ôn
el mila¨. Ilie a ajuns la o va¨duva¨ sa¨raca¨, care aduna
lemne pentru a coace pa[ine pentru ea sçi fiul ei. ön
ciuda sa¨ r a¨ c iei, ea puse ônainte de toate datoria
ospitalita¨òii sçi ôndata¨ ce Proorocul i-a cerut de ma[ncare,
ea a prega¨tit o pa[ine, cu faïna sçi uleiul pe care le mai
avea. A primit fa¨ra¨ ônta[rziere ra¨splata ospitalita¨òii sale>
la cuva[ntul Proorocului, vasul cu faïna¨ sçi ulciorul cu
ulei nu s-au mai golit pa[na¨ la revenirea ploii. La
ca[teva zile de ca[nd Ilie era ga¨zduit la aceasta va¨duva¨,
fiul ei a murit. Cum femeia, ôn durerea ei, ôl acuza pe
omul lui Dumnezeu ca ar fi adus nenorocirea asupra
casei ei, Ilie a luat copilul, l-a urcat la etaj, acolo unde
locuia el si dupa¨ ce a suflat de trei ori asupra trupului
Cont. la pag. 23
Schimbarea la Faòa¨ ...
Cont. de la pag. 18
La sçase zile dupa¨ ce a spus ucenicilor Saï> ||Sunt
unii din cei ce stau aici care nu vor gusta moartea pa[na¨
ce nu vor vedea ômpa¨ra¨òia lui Dumnezeu venind ôntru
putere\\ (Matei 16, 28< Marcu 9, 1), Iisus ôi lua¨ pe
Apostolii Saï preferaòi> Petru, Iacov sçi Ioan< duca[ndui deoparte, urca¨ pe un munte önalt - muntele Taborului
ôn Galileea - ca sa¨ se roage. Se cuvenea ôntr-adeva¨r ca
cei care aveau sa¨ asiste la suferinòa Sa la Ghetsimani
sçi care aveau sa¨ fie martorii cei mai importanòi ai
Patimilor Sale, sa¨ fie prega¨tiòi pentru aceasta¨ ôncercare
prin privelisçtea sla¨virii Sale> Petru, pentru ca¨ tocmai
ôsçi ma¨rturisise credinòa ôn dumnezeirea Sa< Iacov, ca¨ci
a fost primul care a murit pentru Hristos< sçi Ioan care
ma¨rturisi din experienòa sa slava dumnezeiasca¨, fa¨ca[nd
sa¨ ra¨sune ca ||fiu al tunetului\\ teologia Cuva[ntului
ôntrupat.
El ôi urca¨ pe munte, ca simbol al ôna¨lòa¨rii spirituale
care, din virtute ôn virtute, duce la dragoste, virtute
suprema¨ care deschide calea contempla¨rii dumnezeiesçti.
Aceasta¨ ôna¨lòare era de fapt esenòa ôntregii vieòi a
Domnului care, fiind ônvesç m a[ n tat cu sla¨ b iciunea
noastra¨, ne-a deschis drumul ca¨tre Tata¨l, ônva¨òa[ndune ca¨ isihia (linisçtirea) este mama ruga¨ciunii, iar
ruga¨ciunea este cea care arata¨ ca¨tre noi slava lui
Dumnezeu.
||Sçi pe ca[nd se ruga, deodata¨, faòa Sa deveni o alta,
Se schimba¨ sçi sclipi ca soarele, ôn timp ce hainele sale
devenira¨ stra¨lucitoare, de un alb sca[nteietor, cum nu
poate ôna¨lbi pe pa¨ma[nt ôna¨lbitorul\\ (Marcu 9, 3).
Cuva[ n tul lui Dumnezeu ôntrupat ôsç i ara¨ t a astfel
stra¨lucirea naturala¨ a slavei dumnezeiesçti, pe care o
avea ôn El ônsusçi sçi pe care o pa¨strase dupa¨ ôntruparea
Sa, dar care ra¨ma[nea ascunsa¨ sub acopera¨ma[ntul
trupului. önca¨ de la za¨mislirea Sa ôn pa[ntecele Fecioarei,
ôntr-adeva¨r, dumnezeirea S-a unit cu natura trupeasca¨
iar slava divina¨ a devenit, ôn mod ipostatic, slava
trupului asumat. Ceea ce Hristos le ara¨ta Apostolilor
Saï ôn va[rful muntelui nu era deci o privelisçte noua¨, ci
manifestarea stra¨lucita¨ ôn El a ôndumnezeirii naturii
omenesç t i - inclusiv trupul - sç i a unirii Sale cu
splendoarea dumnezeiasca¨.
Spre deosebire de faòa lui Moise care stra¨lucise de
o slava¨ venita¨ din afara dupa¨ revelaòia din Muntele
Sinai (cf. Exod 34, 29), faòa lui Hristos apa¨ru pe
muntele Taborului ca un izvor de lumina¨, izvor al
vieòii dumnezeiesçti fa¨cuta¨ accesibila¨ omului sçi care se
ra¨spa[ndea sçi pe ||vesçmintele\\ Sale, adica¨ asupra lumii
din afara¨ dar sçi pe lucrurile fa¨cute de activitatea sçi
civilizaòia omeneasca¨.
||El s-a schimbat la Faòa¨, ne confirma¨ Sfa[ntul Ioan
Damaschin, nu asuma[nd ceea ce El nu era, ci ara¨ta[ndule Apostolilor Saï ceea ce El era, deschiza[ndu-le ochii
sçi, din orbi cum erau, fa¨ca[ndu-i va¨za¨tori\\ (Sfa[ntul
Ioan Damaschin, Predica¨ la Schimbarea la Faòa¨, 12 PG 96, 564). Hristos deschise ochii Apostolilor Saï
iar acesçtia, cu o privire transfigurata¨ de puterea Duhului
Sfa[nt, va¨zura¨ lumina dumnezeiasca¨ indisociabil unita¨
cu trupul Sau. Fura¨ deci ei ônsçisçi schimbaòi la faòa¨ sçi
primira¨ prin ruga¨ciune puterea de a vedea sçi cunoaste
schimbarea survenita¨ ôn natura noastra¨ datorate unirii
sale cu Cuva[ntul (Sf. Grigore Palama).
||Precum soarele pentru cele ale simòurilor, asça este
Dumnezeu pentru cele ale sufletului\\ (Sf. Grigore
Teologul), de aceea autorii Evangheliilor spun ca¨ faòa
Dumnezeului-Om, care este ||lumina cea adeva¨rata¨
Care lumineaza¨ pe tot omul care vine ôn lume\\ (Ioan
1, 9), sclipea ca soarele. Dar aceasta¨ lumina¨ era ôn fapt
incomparabil superioara¨ orica¨rei lumini a simòurilor
sçi, incapabili sa¨ ôi mai suporte stra¨lucirea inaccesibila¨,
Apostolii ca¨zura¨ la pa¨ma[nt.
Lumina nemateriala¨, necreata¨ sçi situata¨ ôn afara
timpului, aceasta era ômpa¨ra¨òia lui Dumnezeu venit
ôntru puterea Duhului Sfa[ n t, dupa¨ cum Domnul
promisese Apostolilor Saï. öntreva¨zuta¨ atunci pentru
o clipa¨, aceasta¨ lumina¨ va deveni mosçtenirea vesçnica¨
a alesçilor ôn ômpa¨ra¨òie, ca[nd Hristos va veni din nou,
stra¨lucind ôn toata¨ sca[nteierea slavei Sale. Va reveni
ônva¨luit ôn lumina¨, ôn aceasta¨ lumina¨ care a stra¨lucit ôn
Tabor sçi care a òa[sçnit din morma[nt ôn ziua ônvierii
Sale, sçi care, ra¨spa[ndindu-se asupra sufletului sçi trupului
celor alesçi, ôi va face sa¨ stra¨luceasca¨ sçi pe ei ||precum
Cont. la pag. 22
21
Schimbarea la Faòa¨ ...
Cont. de la pag. 21
soarele\\ (cf. Matei 13>43).
||Dumnezeu este lumina¨, iar vederea Sa este lumina¨\\ (Sfa[ntul Simeon Noul Teolog, Discurs Etic V,
276). Asemeni Apostolilor ôn va[ r ful Taborului,
numerosçi Sfinòi au fost martorii acestei revela¨ri a lui
Dumnezeu ôn lumina¨. Totusçi lumina nu este pentru ei
doar un subiect de contemplaòie, ci sç i harul
ôndumnezeitor care le permite sa ||vada¨\\ pe Dumnezeu,
astfel ônca[t se confirma¨ cuvintele Psalmistului > ||ôntru
lumina Ta vom vedea lumina¨\\ (Psalmii 35>10).
ön mijlocul acestei sla¨vite privelisçti se ara¨tara¨ ala¨turi de Domnul - Moise sçi Ilie, doi mari profeòi din
Vechiul Testament, reprezenta[nd respectiv Legea sçi
Proorocii, care ôl ma¨rturiseau ca sta¨pa[n al celor vii sçi
al celor moròi (Moise a murit ônainte de a intra ôn
Pa¨ma[ntul Fa¨ga¨duinòei iar Ilie a fost dus ôntr-un loc
tainic fa¨ra¨ sa¨ cunoasca¨ moartea). Sçi vorbeau cu El, ôn
lumina¨, despre Exodul pe care avea sa¨ ôl ônfa¨ptuiasca¨
la Ierusalim, adica¨ Patimile Sale, ca¨ci prin Patimi sçi
prin Cruce aceasta¨ sla¨vire trebuia sa¨ fie data¨ oamenilor.
Iesçiòi afara¨ din ei ônsçisçi, ra¨piòi ôn contemplarea luminii
dumnezeiesçti, Apostolii erau coplesçiòi ca de un somn
sçi ||nesçtiind ce zice, Petru ôi spuse lui Iisus> Sta¨pa[ne,
ce bine ar fi sa¨ ra¨ma[nem aici< daca¨ vrei vom face trei
corturi> unul pentru tine, unul pentru Moise si unul
pentru Ilie\\. öntorca[ndu-sçi apostolul de la aceasta dorinòa¨
prea omeneasca¨, ce consta ôn a se mulòumi de bucuria
pa¨ma[nteasca¨ a luminii, Domnul le arata¨ atunci un
||cort\\ mai bun sçi un la¨casç cu mult mai önalt pentru a
sa¨la¨sçlui ôn el slava Sa. Un nor luminos veni sa¨ ôi
acopere cu umbra Sa, iar glasul Tata¨lui Se fa¨cu auzit
ôn mijlocul acestui nor, ma¨rturisind pe Domnul> ||Acesta
este Fiul Meu prea-iubit, ôn care am bine-pla¨cut< pe
Acesta sa¨-L ascultaòi!\\. Acest nor era harul Duhului
ônfierii sçi, la fel ca sçi la Botezul Saü ôn Iordan, glasul
Tata¨lui ma¨rturisea pe Fiul sçi ara¨ta ca¨ cele trei entita¨òi
ale Sfintei Treimi, ôntotdeauna unite, participa¨ la
Ma[ntuirea omului.
Lumina lui Dumnezeu, care permisese mai ônta[i
Apostolilor sa¨ ôl ||vada¨\\ pe Hristos, ôi ridica¨ la o stare
superioara¨ viziunii sçi cunosçtinòei omenesçti cônd ea
stra¨luci mai puternic. Iesçiòi ôn afara¨ de tot ce este
vizibil sçi chiar din ei ônsçisçi, ei pa¨trunsera¨ atunci ôn
ôntunericul supra-luminos, ôn care Dumnezeu petrece
(Psalmii 17>12) sçi ||ônchiza[nd usça simòurilor lor\\, ei
primira¨ revelaòia Tainei Treimii, care este mai presus
de orice afirmaòie sçi de orice ta¨ga¨duire (Teologia mistica¨
a Sfa[ntului Dionisie Areopagitul a fost aplicata¨ Tainei
Schimba¨rii la Faòa¨ ôn principal de ca¨tre Sf. Grigore
Palama).
önca¨ insuficient prega¨tiòi revelaòiei unor asemenea
taine, ca¨ci nu trecusera¨ ônca¨ prin ôncercarea Crucii,
Apostolii se ônspaïma[ntara¨ cumplit. Dar ca[nd ôsçi ridicara¨
capetele, ôl vazura¨ pe Iisus, singur, redevenit ca mai
ônainte, Care se apropie de ei sçi ôi linisçti. Apoi, cobora[nd
22
din munte, El le ceru sa¨ nu vorbeasca¨ nima¨nui de cele
ce va¨zusera¨, pa[na¨ ca[nd Fiul Omului nu se va scula din
moròi.
Sa¨ r ba¨ t oarea Schimba¨ r ii la Faòa¨ este deci prin
excelenòa¨ aceea a ôndumnezeirii naturii noastre omenesçti
sçi a participa¨rii trupului nostru treca¨tor la bunurile
vesçnice, care sunt mai presus de fire. önainte chiar de
a ôndeplini ma[ n tuirea noastra¨ prin Patimile Sale,
Ma[ntuitorul arata¨ atunci ca¨ scopul venirii Sale ôn lume
era tocmai sa¨ aduca¨ pe tot omul la contemplaòia slavei
Sale dumnezeiesç t i. Din acest motiv sa¨ r ba¨ t oarea
Schimba¨rii la Faòa¨ i-a atras ôn mod deosebit pe ca¨luga¨ri,
care sçi-au ônchinat ôntreaga viaòa¨ caüta¨rii acestei lumini.
Numeroase ma[ n a¨ s tiri au fost ônchinate acestei
Sa¨rba¨tori, mai ales dupa¨ controversa isihasta¨ din secolul
XIV, despre natura luminii din Tabor sç i despre
contemplaòie. De notat de asemenea ca¨, dupa¨ o tradiòie
care circula pe vremea iconoclasmului, prima Icoana¨,
scrisa¨ de ônsçisçi Apostolii, a fost aceea a Schimba¨rii la
Faòa¨. E vorba desigur mai puòin de un fapt istoric ca[t
de o interpretare simbolica¨, prezenta[nd lega¨tura intima¨ ôntreòinuta¨ de tradiòia Bisericii ôntre arta Icoanei
sçi aceasta¨ Sa¨rba¨toare a vederii lui Hristos ôntru slava¨.
Se crede ca¨ Schimbarea la Faòa¨ a Ma[ntuitorului a
avut loc ôn timpul Sa¨ r ba¨ t orii Corturilor sç i astfel
pra¨ z nuirea acesteia ôn Biserica Cresç t ina¨ devine
ômplinirea prin Noul Testament a sa¨rba¨torii Vechiul
Testament. ön prezent, pra¨znuirea are loc ôn 6 august,
cu patruzeci de zile ônainte de ôna¨lòarea Sfintei Cruci.
Asça cum Petru, Iacov sçi Ioan au va¨zut transfigurarea
ônainte de ra¨stignire astfel ônca[t ei sa¨ afle cine este cel
care va suferi pentru ei, Biserica leaga¨ aceste doua¨
praznice pentru a-i ajuta pe credinciosçi sa¨ ônòeleaga¨
misiunea Ma[ntuitorului sçi faptul ca¨ suferinòa Lui a
fost voluntara¨ sçi pe deplin acceptata¨.
Pe vremuri, sa¨rba¨toarea Schimba¨rii la Faòa¨ se situa
ôn Postul Mare, dar a fost considerata¨ o sa¨rba¨toare
prea vesela¨ pentru perioada respectiva¨. Sfa[ntul Grigorie
Palama, un mare propova¨ d uitor al ônòelesurilor
Schimba¨rii la Faòa¨ este pra¨znuit ôn zilele noastre ôntruna din Duminicile Postului Mare.
ön Grecia sçi Roma[nia, anotimpul recoltelor ôncepe,
ôn mod tradiòional, ôn ziua Schimba¨rii la Faòa¨. Strugurii,
ôn special, nu se ma[ncau ônainte de 6 august. ön unele
parohii, primii struguri sunt adusçi la biserica¨ pentru a
fi binecuva[ntaòi sçi ômpa¨ròiòi enoriasçilor.
Tropar (Glasul 7)
||Schimbatu-Te-ai la faòa¨ , ôn munte, Hristoase
Dumnezeule, ara¨ta[nd ucenicilor Taï slava Ta, pe ca[t li
se putea< stra¨luceasca¨ sçi noua¨, pa¨ca¨tosçilor, lumina Ta
cea pururea fiitoare, pentru ruga¨ciunile Na¨sca¨toarei
de Dumnezeu, Da¨ta¨torule de lumina¨, slava¨ òie.\\
Articol preluat din http>¶¶ro.wikipedia.org
LASA-¨ MA¨ ôN
PACE
Ce crezi tu despre Biserica¨= Esçti cumva sub impresia
ca¨ deoarece Biserica are nevoie de ajutorul taü, ôncearca¨
ôn mod constant sa¨ te aduca¨ la sa[nul Ei pentru motive
egoiste= Crezi ca¨ Biserica este o \\instituòie\\ care e
doar una dintre numeroasele instituòii omenesçti care
contribuie la buna¨starea sociala¨= Sau poate crezi ca¨
Biserica este formata¨ din oameni care nu au altceva de
fa¨cut deca[t sa¨ \\mearga¨ la biserica¨ sçi sa¨ prega¨teasca¨
ma[ncare pentru mesele duminicale sçi sa¨ faca¨ orice
altceva li se cere\\= Crezi ca¨ cineva trebuie sa¨ fie
anormal ca sa¨ fie interesat ôn biserica sa= Ce crezi tu
despre Biserica¨=
Tu ai nevoie de Biserica¨. Biserica a fost ônfiinòata¨
de Dumnezeu ônsusçi (nu de om) sçi El a la¨sat-O pa¨zitoare
a bunurilor Sale ceresçti. Ignora¨ Biserica sçi o faci
risca[ndu-òi ma[ntuirea sufletului.
Dumnezeu nu are alt plan pentru om deca[t sa¨-sçi
salveze sufletul. Sçi prin Biserica¨, El ne cheama¨ la
pocaïnòa¨ sçi credinòa¨ ôn Iisus Hristos. Prin Biserica¨,
Dumnezeu ônalòa¨ crucea Fiului Saü Cel ra¨stignit, pentru
ca toòi cei ce ôl urmeaza¨ cu credinòa¨ sa¨ fie ma[ntuiòi.
Prin Biserica¨, Hristos ne ofera¨ soluòii la problemele
vieòii. Prin Biserica¨, El ma[nga[ie pe cei aflaòi ôn suferinòa¨,
da¨ na¨dejde celor neca¨jiòi, ônta¨resçte pe cei neputinciosçi
sçi viaòa¨ vesçnica¨ celor muribunzi.
Daca¨ nu cunosçti Biserica pentru ca¨ ai stat departe
de Ea, daca¨ mintea ta este cuprinsa¨ de prejudeca¨òi sçi
neônòelegeri cu privire la scopul sçi ônva¨òa¨tura Bisericii,
vino sçi afla¨ despre ce este vorba cu adeva¨rat.
Biserica te vrea, nu pentru ca¨ are nevoie de tine, ci
pentru ca¨ tu ai nevoie de Biserica¨ sçi de mesajul pe care
ôl propova¨duiesçte. Biserica ne ônvaòa¨ drumul spre
ma[ntuire – dupa¨ cum Hristos Domnul a poruncit
Bisericii Sale sa¨ ônveòe – pentru folosul TAËU!!!
Pr. Romey Rosco
Sfôntul Mare ...
Cont. de la pag. 20
neônsufleòit chema[ n du-l cu striga¨ t e puternice pe
Dumnezeu, l-a ônapoiat pe ta[na¨rul baïat viu mamei
sale, profeòind astfel ônvierea moròilor.
Ajuns prin ra[vna sa pe culmea cea mai de sus a
virtuòii, Sf. Prooroc Ilie nu a trecut la cele vesçnice, ci
a fost ridicat la cer fiind considerat demn de a vedea
faòa¨ ôn faòa¨ slava Dumnezeului ôntrupat, ala¨turi de
Moise sçi de cei trei Apostoli ôn ziua Schimba¨rii la faòa¨
(cf. Matei 17). Sfa[rsçitul lui Ilie este prezentat ca o
minune care s-a petrecut cu puterea lui Dumnezeu, pe
Care Ilie L-a slujit cu multa autoritate. Simòind el ca¨
zilele pe pa¨ma[nt sunt numa¨rate, sçi-a ales ca succesor
pe Elisei. Ata[t de mare a fost personalitatea lui, ônca[t
Domnul i-a fa¨cut aceasta favoare de a se muta din
viaòa aceasta pa¨ma[nteasca¨ la viaòa cea cereasca¨, fa¨ra¨
a trece prin poarta moròii. Este a doua personalitate a
DE
VORBA¨ CU OLARUL
Raü ai iesçit cu mine la socoata¨,
tot asuda[nd cu lutul meu pe roata¨.
Troheul, iambii - ie pe ulcica¨ voiai sa¨-i scrii ôn smalòuri,
uita[nd
de ghiontul ce-ôòi da¨ graba,
dar tare-mi este frica¨
de ma[inile-òi frumoase
ca¨ le-ai ma[njit degeaba,
ca¨ nici o strachina¨ ma¨car
nu òi-a iesçit din ca[ntec sçi sudoare.
Tot mai visezi ôn mesçtesçug de-olar
din lutul meu - povestea de ulcioare=
Cu mine ôntocmeala òi-a gresçit,
cerca[nd din lutul aiurelii za¨baüc
sa¨ scrii cu nelumitul bra[u pe oala¨
ôntreaga toamna¨-a doinelor de nuc.
Arunca¨-mi lutul
fa¨ra¨ jale, fa¨ra¨ frica¨<
urzit a fost,de ce nu vrei sa¨ crezi,
spre-a deveni o alta¨ chibzuiala¨=
Ma¨ va culege pentru cuib vreo ra[ndunica¨
asemeni ma[inii Lui sçi eu asema¨nare
sa¨-I òin cuvintele-n sçtiubeu de lut,
fla¨ma[ndele de psalmul Lui,
pa[na¨ vor sçti
ca pe de rost lumina sa¨ I-o zboare.
DUMITRU ICHIM
Vechiului Testament care s-a ôna¨lòat cu trupul la cer,
dupa¨ Enoh. Minunea a fost va¨zuta¨ de ca¨tre ucenicul
saü, iar el s-a ôna¨lòat la cer ôntr-un car de foc tras de
cai.
ön tradiòia populara¨, Sf. Mare Prooroc Ilie este
considerat ocrotitorul recoltelor sçi a ra¨mas ôn istoria
Bisericii Ortodoxe ca un exemplu de credinòa¨ sçi curaj
demn de urmat. Biserica Ortodoxa¨ ôi aduce multa¨
cinstire, pentru ca¨ este pomenit ca mare ba¨rbat sçi erou
al credinòei. Fiii Bisericii Ortodoxe Roma[ne au o evlavie
profunda¨ pentru acest sfa[nt fa¨ca¨tor de minuni. Exista¨
tradiòii populare diferite din toate zonele geografice
ale Roma[nei, ônca[t unitatea este cinstea deosebita¨ care
i se cuvine profetului Ilie. Oamenii cred ca¨ atunci
ca[ n d se ônta[ m pla fenomene meteorologice
spectaculoase, Ilie de fapt traverseaza¨ cerul ôn ca¨ruòa
lui de foc, pentru a ne ocroti. El este mereu sçi mereu
ôn slujba binelui. Dreptatea si autoritatea precumpa¨nesc
ôn raport cu alte virtuòi ale sfinòilor Noului Testament.
Fiind unul dintre Profeòii evrei, Biserica Ortodoxa¨ ôl
cunoasçte sub numele de Sfa[ntul Mare Prooroc Ilie
Tesviteanul. Pe 20 iulie, Biserica Ortodoxa¨ sa¨rba¨toresçte
suirea la cer a Sfa[ n tului sç i Marelui Prooroc Ilie
Tesviteanul.
Articol preluat din http>¶¶ro.wikipedia.org
23
Vieòile Sfinòilor
Cont. de la pag. 19
ga¨sit vinovat sçi ôntemniòat. önsa¨ Maica Domnului, ôn
vedenie, I-a restituit Evanghelia sçi omoforul ca semn al
reinstituirii ôn treapta de episcop. Dumnezeu zice ôn
cartea Profetului Isaia> ||Ga[ndurile mele nu sunt ca
ga[ndurile voastre sçi nici caïle mele ca ale voastre\\ (Is.
55>8).
Pe de alta¨ parte, sunt ôn Biserica¨ sçi sfinòi nebuni
pentru Hristos care, din smerenie sçi pentru ca oamenii
sa¨ nu le descopere sfinòenia sçi nevoinòele lor ascetice,
acòioneaza¨ ôn public ca nisçte bufoni. Cu ei se ômplinesçte
cuva[ntul Scripturii care zice ca¨ ônòelepciunea oamenilor
este nebunie ôn faòa lui Dumnezeu, ||iar ceea ce socotesc
oamenii nebunie este mai ônòelept deca[t ônòelepciunea
lor sçi ce se pare sla¨biciune, mai puternic deca[t ta¨ria
oamenilor\\ (1 Corinteni, 1>25). Desigur ca¨ ||nebunia
pentru Hristos\\ nu este iesçirea din minòi a unor sectari
din America, sau chiar ôn Roma[nia de azi, care se cred
ôngeri, profeòi, inspiraòi sau chiar reôntruparea lui Iisus
Hristos. Sfinòenia nu poate fi o aventura¨ personala¨, ci
este fenomenul de ôndumnezeire a omului, prin
participarea la Sfintele Taine ale Bisericii. Sfa[ntul Ciprian
spune ca¨ fa¨ra¨ de Biserica¨ nu este ma[ntuire (De Ecclesiae
Unitate, Patrology vol. II, Johannes Quasten, Pg. 350).
Asçadar, ceea ce ga¨sim noi la Sfinòii din calendar este
modul de viaòa¨ al cresçtinului comun, care traïesçte dupa¨
Evanghelie, al ca¨rui model este ônsusçi Iisus Hristos. ön
toate ômprejura¨rile vieòii, sfa[ntul se ôntreaba¨> Ce ar face
Hristos ôn locul meu= Cum ar reacòiona, cum s-ar
comporta ôn anumite ômprejura¨ri ale vieòii, ce ar zice=
... De aceea, pentru noi, Vieòile Sfinòilor sunt un ghid de
urmat, un manual practic. La sfa[rsçitul fieca¨rei epistole,
Sfa[ntul Pavel alca¨tuiesçte portretul sfinòilor ôn nisçte cuvinte
ata[t de simple, ônca[t desfiinòeaza¨ complect imaginea
celor ce ôsçi ônchipuie pe sfinòi ca pe nisçte ara¨ta¨ri iesçite
din comun. De pilda¨, ca[teva spicuiri din Epistola ca¨tre
Efeseni, capitolul 5>
||Nu va¨ ômba¨taòi de vin ôn care este desfra[nare, ci
umpleòi-va¨ de Duhul Sfa[nt, vorbind ôntre voi ôn psalmi,
imne sçi ca[nta¨ri duhovnicesçti.\\
||Supuneòi-va¨ unii altora, ôn frica lui Hristos.\\
||Femeile sa¨ se supuna¨ ba¨rbaòilor ca Domnului.\\ ...
||Ba¨rbaòilor, iubiòi-va¨ femeile voastre, cum sçi Hristos
a iubit Biserica sçi a murit pentru Ea ...\\
||Ba¨rbaòii sunt datori sa¨-sçi iubeasca¨ femeile cum ôsçi
iubesc trupurile lor. Cine-sçi iubesçte femeia sa pe sine se
iubesçte, pentru ca¨ ama[ndoi sunt ma¨dulare ale Trupului
lui Hristos - adica¨ ale Bisericii ...\\
||Copii, ascultaòi de pa¨rinòii vostri ôn Domnul, ca¨ asça
este cu dreptate ... Ca¨ci Domnul a zis> Iubesçte pe tata¨l
taü sçi pe mama ta ...\\
||Iar voi, pa¨rinòilor sa¨ nu ônta¨ra[taòi la ma[nie pe copiii
vosçtri, ci mai degraba¨ cresçteòi-i ôn ônva¨òa¨tura Domnului
...\\
||Faceòi ruga¨ciuni sçi cereri ôn Duhul Sfa[nt sçi sta¨ruiòi
ôn ruga¨ciune pentru toòi sfinòii - adica¨ pentru ceilalòi
membri ai bisericilor ...\\
ôn Epistola ca¨tre Filipeni, cap. 4>
24
||Bucuraòi-va¨ pururea ôntru Domnul ... ömbra¨òisçaòi ôn
Hristos pe toòi sfinòii ... Ca[te sunt adeva¨rate, ca[te sunt
de cinste, ca[te sunt drepte, ca[te sunt curate, ca[te sunt
vrednice de iubit, ca[te sunt cu nume bun, orice virtute,
orice lauda¨, la acestea sa¨ va¨ fie ga[ndul.\\
Coloseni, cap 3>
||Lepa¨ d aòi de la voi ma[ n ia, iuòimea, ra¨ u tatea,
defaïmarea, cuva[ntul de rusçine ... Nu va¨ minòiòi unii pe
alòii ... Fiind sfinòi preaiubiòi ai lui Dumnezeu, ômbra¨caòiva¨ cu buna¨tate, cu smerenie, cu bla[ndete, cu ôndelunga¨
ra¨bdare ...\\ etc.
Acesçtia sunt cresçtinii pe care Sfa[ntul Apostol Pavel
ôi numea ||sfinòi.\\ Sunt oameni normali, asça cum I-a
vrut Dumnezeu. Este uimitor ce simple lucruri se cer
omului pentru a deveni sfa[nt. Greutatea sta¨ ôn ruperea
din sclavia egoismului sçi a pla¨cerilor din noi, care au
creeat o a doua natura¨ - omul pa¨catului. ||... Sçi ucenicii
uimindu-se, ziceau unii ca¨tre alòii> Atunci, cine poate sa¨
se ma[ntuiasca¨= Iisus, privind la ei, le-a zis> La oameni
lucrul e cu neputinòa¨, dar nu la Dumnezeu. Ca¨ci la
Dumnezeu toate sunt cu putinòa¨.\\ (Marcu, 10>26-27).
Asçadar, sfinòenia este lucrul lui Dumnezeu ôn om.
Arhimandrit Roman Braga
(articol retipa¨rit din Solia, Octombrie 1997)
MA[NA¨STIREA ADORMIREA
MAICII DOMNULUI
Rives Junction, Michigan
Programul slujbelor de sfinòire a bisericii
Vineri, 5 Octombrie 2012
Priveghere la 6>00 PM.
Sa[mba¨ta¨, 6 Octombrie, 2012
Procesiunea cu Sfintele Moasçte la ora 8>15 am,
urmata¨ de slujba sfinòirii noii biserici de la 8>30
am. Sfa[nta Liturghie arhiereasca¨ va avea loc ôn
pavilion cu ôncepere de la ora 10>00 am. Dupa¨
slujba¨ vor fi servite gusta¨ri ôntre orele 12>30 pm sçi
1>30 pm. O masa¨ festiva¨ va ôncepe la ora 2>00 pm
(numai cu rezervare). Ziua se va ôncheia cu slujba
privegherii de la ora 6>00 pm.
Pentru informaòii suplimentare> 517-569-2873,
email> [email protected], website>
dormitionmonastery.org.

JA 2012 cover - The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America

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